The September / October issue of Physics in Canada discusses the science of planetary remote sensing. Remote sensing has proven useful in areas such as monitoring weather systems, managing natural resources and obtaining detailed road maps that affect our daily lives. Canada is a leader in remote sensing, and this issue describes several techniques and research in progress across Canada.

Among the articles presented in this issue of Physics in Canada is the work of Dr. Philippe M. Teillet, research scientist at the Canada Centre of Remote Sensing (CCRS) in the department of Natural Resources Canada.

Here is a short quote from Dr. Teillet's paper, titled: Satellite Image Radiometry: from Photons to Calibrated Earth Science Data:

"Today's remote sensing satellite systems yield digital images that provide unprecedented observations of the earth from space that are both synoptic and detailed in nature. There is tremendous interest in the use of these images to derive information about current states of geophysical and biophysical variables and to monitor their changes. This article outlines the key steps needed to ensure that terrestrial variables retrieved from optical satellite sensor systems are calibrated to a common physical scale. The emphasis is placed on the multiple methodologies used post-launch to convert digital image data to calibrated products for the user community. The article focuses on reflectance, land surface parameter of wide interest, as an example."

For any inquiries regarding obtaining this paper, please write to: esic-geoscan@nrcan.gc.ca

We invite you to attend the Canadian Space Agency's Earth Observation (EO) Info Days - 2005, which will be held on December 12, 13 and 14, 2005 at the John H. Chapman Space Centre, 6767 Route de l'Aéroport, Longueuil, Québec. For more information, please visit the EO Info Days 2005 web page at: http://www.space.gc.ca/infodays to see the detailed program, which was posted on November 16, 2005.

If you have not yet registered, we suggest you do so as soon as possible. The number of remaining available places is dwindling rapidly.

Stan Aronoff presents remote sensing technology for GIS managers who have no previous experience with it in a new book recently published by ESRI Press. Topics such as aerial photography, multispectral scanners, thermal infrared, radar, lidar, and sonar are described in ways that make sense for GIS professionals attempting to utilize this rich and increasingly affordable data source. Case studies illustrate how remote sensing analysis is being effectively integrated with GIS-based analysis for emergency response, natural resource inventory and management, national security, precision farming, meteorology and business geographics and a variety of other applications. Seven Canadians are among the contributors, and CCRS has supported the author's work for this book.

Dr. Aronoff is the author of the classic Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective. His career has included the development of software and procedures for integrated analysis of remotely sensed and GIS data.

For more information, see the ESRI press release.