The Science of Reflectance
Every object on Earth's surface reflects, absorbs, and transmits light differently. By measuring these unique "spectral signatures," Remote Sensing sensors can distinguish between different types of vegetation, soil, and water—even if they look similar to our eyes.
🔬 Interactive Spectral Explorer
Select an object and slide across the spectrum to see its **Reflectance Character**.
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Healthy Vegetation
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Clear Water
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Dry Soil
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Concrete/Urban
Ultraviolet
Visible (RGB)
Near-Infrared (NIR)
Shortwave IR (SWIR)
Thermal IR
Current Insight: Healthy vegetation reflects highly in the NIR (Near-Infrared) range due to the cellular structure of leaves, but absorbs strongly in Red for photosynthesis.
Why does this matter?
By comparing the reflectance in different bands, we can calculate **Spectral Indices** like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). This mathematical approach allows us to monitor global food security, detect forest fires, and analyze urban heat islands with scientific precision.