Earth Exploration Toolbook Chapter: Measuring Distance and Area in Satellite Images

Author:

LuAnn Dahlman

Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

SERC

Collection:

Earth Exploration Toolbook (SERC)

Grade Level:

Secondary, Post-secondary

Abstract:

Users download and analyze MODIS imagery from 2001 and 2003 to quantify the shrinking of the Aral Sea. The chapter steps users through downloading, installing, and measuring with ImageJ, a freely available image analysis program. Users employ the software to set the spatial calibration of an image, then select and measure distances directly from the image. Measurement results are reported in real-world units. Users also select, measure, and compare the area covered by the sea in three time-series images. The techniques described are useful only for nadir view (straight down) images.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs

Media Format:

Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 1.0