Active or Passive?

• Passive

  • Measures the naturally emitted radiation from the earth - Brightness Temperature
  • Resolution - 10’s km _ 100 km (applicable to GCM’s)

• Active

  • Sends out a signal and measures the return - Backscattering Coefficient
  • More confused by roughness, topography and vegetation
  • Resolution - 10’s m (applicable to partial area hydrology and agriculture)

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