Overview

Gain insight into how satellite data is used to monitor the Earth There are now over 600 satellites observing the Earth, with hundreds more to be launched over the next decade. Over this 4-week course, you will learn how satellite data informs our understanding of the natural environment and the impact of human development, finding out about different sensors that are carried by satellites and how they orbit the earth to detect changes to the planet. Discover easy to use tools to view and analyse images Using a powerful new web tool, you will be able to explore satellite data from anywhere on Earth. You will use this to learn how satellite data is used to monitor Earth, from uncovering information about climate change to how global deforestation is measured and the effects of pollution. Discover the satellite applications in weather, climate, and environmental change With the advancement of satellite imagery and orbit coverage, we can now measure a wide range of physical attributes of the Earth system from space. This course will guide you through how the weather is monitored from space, as well as how the oceans, atmosphere, and pollution are measured. You’ll also dive into the cryosphere and biosphere of Earth and discover how these are viewed, monitored, and measured using satellite data. Learn from Earth Observation experts at Edinburgh University Edinburgh University is one of the preeminent Higher Education Institutes for Earth Observation (EO) in the UK. Not only are they are a member of the National Centre for EO, but their staff are involved in international space missions, world-class EO research, and creating new companies. The development of this course was co-funded by the UK Space Agency and ESA Space Solutions. Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course.

Syllabus

What we can and cannot see from space

We will explore satellite imagery and learn about satellites orbiting Earth. We will also let you browse real data to explore global datasets. Earth observing satellites use measurements of electromagnetic radiation to determine the properties of the surface and atmosphere. Here we investigate the electromagnetic spectrum and how it relates to the measurements we make.

Atmosphere and Oceans

Being able to collect data from anywhere on planet Earth at short notice, raises some questions about the ethics of Earth observation. We look at what questions it raises and encourage you to join the discussion. We will then focus on measuring the atmosphere, the thin layer of gas that supports life on Earth. We finally will explore how we use satellites to monitor the oceans. Covering 70% of the surface, the oceans are a significant feature of the Earth System.

Cryosphere and Biosphere

First, we will look at how satellites measure snow, glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. In the next activity, we will consider how satellites can be used to monitor agriculture, forests and forest change. We also look at the impact of deforestation and the link to climate change.

The Earth System and Human Activity

Climate change is one of the foremost issues of the day. Here we look at how we measure it, and monitor how it changes. We then consider the impact of natural hazards and look to the future of Earth observation. Finally, we will share some additional resources you may find useful.