Multispectral imagery is produced by sensors that measure reflected energy within several specific sections (also called bands) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Multispectral sensors usually have between 3 and 10 different band measurements in each pixel of the images they produce. Examples of bands in these sensors typically include visible green, visible red, near infrared, etc. Landsat, Quickbird, and Spot satellites are well-known satellite sensors that use multispectral sensors.
Hyperspectral sensors measure energy in narrower and more numerous bands than multispectral …
What is a spectral signature in remote sensing?
Features on the Earth reflect, absorb, transmit, and emit electromagnetic energy from the sun. Special digital sensors have been developed to measure all types of electromagnetic energy as it interacts with objects in all of the ways listed above. The ability of sensors to measure these interactions allows us to use remote sensing to measure features and changes on the Earth and in our atmosphere. A measurement of energy commonly used in remote sensing of the Earth is reflected energy …