The planet Earth is pretty spectacular. Not everything that happens within her atmosphere is so wonderful. Earth observation systems have been designed to help people study the Earth to better understand what’s going on with this planet and whether or not we should change our interactions with it. The following will provide an overview of the idea of Earth observation systems.
What Is Earth Observation?
Earth observation (sometimes shortened to EO) is a vast gathering of information regarding the physical, biological, and chemical systems of planet Earth. This includes everything from weather patterns to the shifting surface of our planet. There are many ways to go about collecting this information, including remote-sensing technologies (often referred to as Earth observation satellites) and direct-contact sensors on ground-based or airborne platforms (for instance, weather stations and weather balloons).
Earth observation systems, therefore, are systems designed to help us better observe Earth. They use a variety of observation techniques and tools on a particular schedule. Depending on the information a person is looking to gather, these systems are going to take different forms. In particular, the advent of robotics and things like remote calibration are opening researchers up to whole new possibilities of observation. Developments in cameras as well can help with these systems.
Why Do People Want To Do This?
Observing the Earth allows us to learn about Earth. This can quell our curiosity, so many find it valuable in and of itself, but it can also help us make better decisions regarding our behavior on Earth. We can prepare better for incoming weather and natural disasters, make wiser choices that impact the natural world less severely, track land-usage changes like deforestation and notice climate and wildlife trends.
Of course, there’s also the awe component of observing Earth. Our planet is huge and wonderful and seeing different aspects of it, particularly images. Things like the Earth phase as seen from the moon can be breathtaking and infuse our daily life with a little more wonder. These spectacular images and collections can also be used to spark young generations’ interest in science and the natural world.
Long Term Data
While much of the data collected by Earth observation systems is prescient and will be put into use today, there’s also a fantastic benefit for future generations. The more data we have from longer periods of time, the better sense future generations will have of changes ongoing in their era. They’ll be better able to understand whether the things they’re seeing are normal or not. They’ll also have a better sense of larger planetary cycles. There’s no knowing what problems future generations will have to face in addition to the ones we’re facing today, but extra data might be of use to them.
The above information should have outlined what Earth observation systems are and, loosely, how they work. Again, because there are so many different reasons a person might be collecting information about the planet, Earth observation systems can take many forms. Someone studying the effect sunscreen is having on coral reefs is going to be using different systems than someone using satellites in an attempt to better predict incoming environmental disasters. If you’re in the process of developing your own system, always return to the first principles of the scientific method and err on the side of collecting more data rather than less.
