Welcome to the Remote Sensing course with Google Earth Engine! You'll learn how to see Earth from space, analyze satellite imagery, and create maps that answer real questions about our changing planet.
Course goals
- Navigate the Earth Engine Code Editor confidently.
- Load, filter, and visualize satellite imagery.
- Calculate spectral indices (NDVI, NDWI) and apply thresholds.
- Classify land cover using supervised and unsupervised methods.
- Export results and build interactive apps.
Why remote sensing matters
Satellites capture images of every corner of Earth, every day. Learning to analyze this data opens doors to careers in environmental monitoring, urban planning, disaster response, agriculture, and climate science. The skills you learn here are in high demand.
Your first map in 60 seconds
Before diving into theory, let's get you a win. Copy this code into the Earth Engine Code Editor and click Run:
// Your first Earth Engine map!
var image = ee.Image('LANDSAT/LC08/C02/T1_L2/LC08_044034_20210623');
Map.centerObject(image, 8);
Map.addLayer(image, {
bands: ['SR_B4', 'SR_B3', 'SR_B2'],
min: 7000,
max: 12000
}, 'San Francisco Bay');
print('Congratulations! You just loaded a Landsat 8 image.');What you should see
A true-color satellite image of San Francisco Bay appears on the map. The console shows your success message. You've just used Earth Engine!
What You Will Learn
- Basics of digital image processing and how sensors collect data.
- Working with Google Earth Engine to access and analyze satellite data.
- Methods for classifying land, water, and vegetation in images.
- Real-world case studies such as health, water, and land applications.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with Earth Engine or JavaScript is necessary for this course, but programming experience, basic knowledge of remote sensing and/or GIS are highly desirable.
Get Ready
Please review the course schedule on the home page. The full syllabus will be posted on the course site and Canvas.
If you don't already have one, sign up for a Google Earth Engine account at earthengine.google.com/signup. Approval can take a few days.
About This Textbook
This course textbook has been designed to be an educationally accessible introduction to remote sensing using Google Earth Engine. Many of the materials in this textbook have been adapted and simplified to make remote sensing concepts more approachable for students who are not familiar with remote sensing or programming.
The goal is to provide you with a solid foundation in remote sensing fundamentals, practical skills in Google Earth Engine, and hands-on experience analyzing real-world environmental data—all presented in a way that is accessible and engaging.
Continue Your Learning Journey
Upon completing this textbook, you are warmly invited to continue your learning with more advanced resources. We especially recommend Cloud-Based Remote Sensing with Google Earth Engine: Fundamentals and Applications, a comprehensive free textbook created by over 100 contributors from around the world.
About the EEFA Book
The EEFA Book offers:
- 31 Fundamental Labs: Taking you from novice to advanced Earth Engine user
- 24 Application Chapters: Showcasing real-world uses across diverse fields
- Independent Chapters: Jump to any section that interests you
This resource represents the cutting edge of Earth Engine education and is perfect for deepening your expertise after mastering the fundamentals in this course.
Think of this course as your welcoming introduction to remote sensing, and the EEFA Book as your next step toward becoming an expert practitioner. Together, these resources provide a complete pathway from beginner to advanced remote sensing analyst.