Remote Sensing of Atmospheres

EART37202 Remote Sensing of Atmospheres 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 6 Grant Allen Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 <div> This unit explores the physical principles and application of atmospheric remote sensing, which is also known as Earth observation. Remote sensing (in an atmospheric context) is the retrieval of information about the state of the atmosphere using measurements recorded remotely (i.e. measured by sensors that re not in physical contact with what is being observed). This unit covers the topics of selected passive (infrared) and active (lidar, radar) atmospheric remote sensing techniques. Teaching and learning will focus on the physical principles and concepts of measurement and geophysical retrieval, and the satellite sampling technologies and methods used to interpret the state of the atmosphere. The course will also explore the applications of remote sensing in understanding atmospheric composition and dynamics and their utility in the modern world; for example in numerical weather prediction, land-use change, climate monitoring, and air quality.Themes explored include: <ul> <li> Principles of atmospheric radiative transfer</li> <li> Spectroscopy and spectrometry</li> <li> Measurement, measurement uncertainty, and retrieval theory</li> <li> Satellite platforms, viewing geometries and operational constraints.</li> <li> Passive satellite remote sensing techniques and infrared spectroscopy</li> <li> Active remote sensing techniques (radar and lidar)</li> <li> Applications of earth observation, e.g., numerical weather prediction, climate science, atmospheric composition</li> <li> The future of Earth observation science and extra-terrestrial applications</li> </ul>  </div>  <div> This unit explores the physical principles and application of atmospheric remote sensing, which is also known as Earth observation. Remote sensing (in an atmospheric context) is the retrieval of information about the state of the atmosphere using measurements recorded remotely (i.e. measured by sensors that re not in physical contact with what is being observed). This unit covers the topics of selected passive (infrared) and active (lidar, radar) atmospheric remote sensing techniques. Teaching and learning will focus on the physical principles and concepts of measurement and geophysical retrieval, and the satellite sampling technologies and methods used to interpret the state of the atmosphere. The course will also explore the applications of remote sensing in understanding atmospheric composition and dynamics and their utility in the modern world; for example in numerical weather prediction, land-use change, climate monitoring, and air quality.Themes explored include: <ul> <li> Principles of atmospheric radiative transfer</li> <li> Spectroscopy and spectrometry</li> <li> Measurement, measurement uncertainty, and retrieval theory</li> <li> Satellite platforms, viewing geometries and operational constraints.</li> <li> Passive satellite remote sensing techniques and infrared spectroscopy</li> <li> Active remote sensing techniques (radar and lidar)</li> <li> Applications of earth observation, e.g., numerical weather prediction, climate science, atmospheric composition</li> <li> The future of Earth observation science and extra-terrestrial applications</li> </ul>  </div>  <div>This course unit introduces the theory, methods and technological applications used to retrieve geophysical information about the composition of planetary atmospheres using remote sensing, with a focus on Earth observation science using satellites. The unit explores the use of passive remote sensing techniques to derive information about the Earth’s (and other planetary) surface and atmosphere from ground, airborne, and satellite platforms. The course will demonstrate the cutting edge of remote sensing science and technology for Earth and extra-terrestrial applications, including numerical weather prediction, atmospheric composition (greenhouse gases and air quality), climate monitoring, and the search for extra-terrestrial life. Concepts explored include the principles of measurement, sampling, and retrieval theory as applied to remote sensing of atmospheric composition and thermodynamics. Finally, advanced skill in data handling and interpretation is developed through computer-based staff-facilitated workshops and online resources.</div>  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" style="width:495px;"> On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: </td> <td style="width:71px;"> Developed</td> <td style="width:66px;"> Assessed</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:63px;height:78px;"> ILO 1</td> <td style="width:432px;height:78px;"> Describe and compare active and passive remote sensing techniques used to sense the Earth’s surface and atmosphere from ground, airborne, and satellite platforms.  </td> <td style="width:71px;height:78px;"> x</td> <td style="width:66px;height:78px;"> X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:63px;height:66px;"> ILO 2</td> <td style="width:432px;height:66px;"> Apply the physical principles of remote sensing measurement and retrieval theory to relate concentrations of atmospheric trace gases from remote sensing measurements.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:66px;"> x</td> <td style="width:66px;height:66px;"> X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:63px;height:90px;"> ILO 3</td> <td style="width:432px;height:90px;"> Solve numerical problems related to deriving atmospheric composition from remote sensing measurements of electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or absorbed by planetary atmospheres.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:90px;"> x</td> <td style="width:66px;height:90px;"> X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:63px;height:65px;"> ILO 4</td> <td style="width:432px;height:65px;"> Evaluate sources of measurement uncertainty when forming conclusions and interpreting real remote sensing datasets of atmospheric composition and meteorology.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:65px;"> x</td> <td style="width:66px;height:65px;"> X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:63px;height:65px;"> ILO 5</td> <td style="width:432px;height:65px;"> Handle and interpret real remote sensing datasets using analytical approaches to answer real-world scientific and societal questions.</td> <td style="width:71px;height:65px;"> x</td> <td style="width:66px;height:65px;"> x</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  Syllabus (note: each lecture is 2 hours) : Week1: L.  Introduction to concepts: Atmospheric remote sensing applications and satellite samplingWeek 2: L. Principles of radiative transfer: Part 1Week 3: L. Principle of radiative transfer: Part 2Week 4: L. Infrared spectroscopy and measurementWeek 5: L. Measurement and sampling principlesWeek 6: L. Passive remote sensing techniques               P. 2-hour computer-based workshop on remote sensing data handlingWeek 7: L. Retrieval theory and sources of uncertaintyWeek 8: L. The future of Earth observation science and extra-terrestrial applicationsWeek 9: L. Revision lecture on course content              P. Online formative quizWeek 10: L. revision lecture and practice on worked examplesWeek 11: L. revision lecture and practice on worked examples  <div> Learning during this course unit builds from one week to the next, consisting of eight weekly two-hour lectures (16 hours of lecture-based new content) providing the concepts and skill needed to complete a 1-hour mid-term online formative assessment and a 2-hour computer-based practical workshop to analyse real remote sensing datasets. Three hours of problem-solving and revision lectures will summarize key content from the syllabus, together with 3 hours of staff-led example problem classes to practice exam-style questions, with feedbackFor effective learning, it is essential that students attend every lecture and practical class, and revise the previous week's materials between lectures.  Formative problem-solving questions will be set in lectures for students to work on between lectures in their own time and the answers to those questions will be given in subsequent lectures for students to gauge their progress in understanding and applying the course content. An online formative (non-assessed) question and answer quiz provides students with the opportunity to practice the style of questions in the final exam. Answers to the quiz will be given after completion together with feedback and worked examples to questions to embed learning and learn from mistakes.The assessment of the course will consist of a summative exam at the end of Semester 1 (50%) and one piece of assessed coursework during Semester 1 (totalling 50%). The assessed coursework will take the form of a computer-based workshop (50%) and short written report on the interpretation of quantitative results using real aircraft-based remote sensing data in the context of measuring the composition of the atmosphere. This will consist of a 2-hour staff and demonstrator supported problem-solving class using online material and datasets.Students are encouraged to utilise the wide variety of learning resources that are available in this subject area.  This includes signposting (links) to publicly-available informal contextual resources (e.g. appropriate YouTube videos, Wikipedia), directed reading, podcasts and short formative quizzes and questions and answers available on the Blackboard site. Communication outside of lectures will be via Blackboard announcements and e-mail as required.Formative individual feedback will be given on the multiple-choice online quiz by comparing marked work with model answers. Further feedback will be provided on the example questions set in lectures and in written feedback on the assessed computer workshop. Feedback on exam performance will be provided via a drop-in session early in Semester 2 for students to view their marked exam script and model answer mark scheme.</div>  1 Written exam 50% 3 Report 50% <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:101px;height:67px;">Assessment type</td> <td style="width:85px;height:67px;">% Weighting within unit</td> <td style="width:66px;height:67px;">Hand out and hand in dates</td> <td style="width:94px;height:67px;">Length </td> <td style="width:170px;height:67px;">How, when and what feedback is provided</td> <td style="width:123px;height:67px;">ILO tested</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:101px;height:101px;">Report (individual) </td> <td style="width:85px;height:101px;">50</td> <td style="width:66px;height:101px;">09:00 on final day of Semester 2</td> <td style="width:94px;height:101px;">6 pages A4</td> <td style="width:170px;height:101px;">Individual feedback on marked reports via Turnitin and in Blackboard grade centre. Cohort-level feedback will also be provided on common successes and problems.</td> <td style="width:123px;height:101px;">2, 5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:101px;height:101px;">Exam</td> <td style="width:85px;height:101px;">50</td> <td style="width:66px;height:101px;">Semester 2 exam period</td> <td style="width:94px;height:101px;">2 hours</td> <td style="width:170px;height:101px;">Feedback via drop-in session to view marked scripts and mark scheme in semester 2.</td> <td style="width:123px;height:101px;">1, 2, 3, 4</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:101px;height:101px;">Test (quiz)</td> <td style="width:85px;height:101px;">0</td> <td style="width:66px;height:101px;">Semester 2, week 9</td> <td style="width:94px;height:101px;">1.5 hours</td> <td style="width:170px;height:101px;">Online feedback after completion of test, with model answers and working provided,</td> <td style="width:123px;height:101px;">1, 2, 3</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  EART29102 Geospatial Techniques Pre-Requisite Compulsory <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:203px;"> Pre-requisite units</td> <td style="width:437px;"> EART23001 Atmospheric Physics and Weather</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  Rodgers, C.D. Inverse Methods for Atmospheric Sounding: Theory and Practise. ISBN: 978-981-02-2740-1 Campbell, J. B., Introduction to Remote Sensing, Guilford Press, ISBN 160918176X  0 0 100 <figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:68px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:68px;width:85px;">Type</td><td style="height:9.75pt;padding:0cm;width:169.5pt;" width="226">Example student activity</td><td style="height:68px;width:75px;">Total Hours</td><td style="height:68px;width:160px;">New material</td><td style="height:68px;width:104px;">Consolidation and Practice</td></tr><tr><td style="height:39px;width:139px;">Contact time (students are in front of staff)</td><td style="height:39px;width:85px;">Lecture (new material)</td><td style="height:39px;width:75px;">Mostly listening & taking notes (mostly new material)</td><td style="height:39px;width:75px;">16</td><td style="height:39px;width:160px;">16</td><td style="height:39px;width:104px;">0</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Lecture (revision/examples)</td><td>Mostly listening & taking notes (no new material- revision of course)</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">Practical (new material and practice. Typically 25-50% of practical time is spent on new material)</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">Interactive individual or group work (problem solving, experiments, watching demonstrations, describing and interpreting samples, paper-based exercises, computer-based exercises)</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">2</td><td style="height:101px;width:160px;">1</td><td style="height:101px;width:104px;">1</td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:139px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">Tutorial</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">Interactive small group work</td><td style="height:101px;width:75px;">0</td><td style="height:101px;width:160px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:104px;"> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Seminar/examples class</td><td>Working on and discussing questions </td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Independent study time</td><td style="height:9.75pt;padding:0cm;width:131.5pt;" width="175">Pre/post lecture work</td><td>Reading own notes, re-solving examples, prep work, revisit podcast</td><td>16</td><td> </td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Pre/post practical work/write up</td><td>Complete practical work, prep work, reading feedback</td><td>10</td><td> </td><td>10</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>