Glossary of terms Albedo - Ratio between the amoung of electromagnetic energy reflected by a surface and the amoung of energy incident upon the surface. Atmospheric scattering - Multiple interactions between light rays and gas particles in the atmosphere. Band - A subdivision of an electromagnetic field in wich the visible region is divided into blue, red, and green bands. Frequency - the number of wave oscillations per unit time or the number of wavelengths that pass a point per unit time. Geostationary - refers to satellites traveling at the angular velocity at which the earth rotates so that they remain above the same point on the earth at all times Spatial resolution - The ability to distinguish between closely spaced objects. Commonly expressed as the most closely spaced line-pairs per unit distance that can be distinguished. Spectral resolution - Range of wavelengths recorded by a detector. Also referred to as bandwidth. Sun-synchronous - a satellite polar orbit pattern that covers the earth during a cycle that lasts from days to weeks. On subsequent cycles the orbit paths are repeated at the same local sun time. Wavelength - the distance between successive wave crests or other equivalent points in a harmonic wave. Source: Sabins, Remote Sensing Principles and Interpretations