Remote Sensing: Snow Properties and Applications

This lecture covers the fundamentals of remote sensing, focusing on satellite remote sensing of snow properties such as snow-covered area, albedo, and grain size. It explains the spectral properties of snow and how they affect remote sensing imagery. The lecture also discusses different satellite orbits, energy sources, spatial and spectral resolutions, and the applications of remote sensing in various fields. Additionally, it explores the concept of spectral mixture analysis and the impact of impurities on snow reflectance, known as 'radiative forcing'. Various remote sensing products related to snow cover and albedo are presented, along with their applications in monitoring snowmelt and radiative forcing from dust on snow.