Mains paper 1 -Geography

Remote sensing: principles, electromagnetic spectrum, components and applications

Remote sensing: principles, electromagnetic spectrum, components and applications Remote sensing, also called earth observation, refers to obtaining information about objects or areas at the Earth’s surface without being in direct contact with the object or area. Humans accomplish this task with aid of eyes or by the sense of smell or hearing; so, remote sensing is day-today business for people. Reading the newspaper, watching cars driving in front of you are all remote sensing activities. Most sensing devices record information about an object by measuring an object’s transmission of electromagnetic energy from reflecting and radiating surfaces. Principles of remote sensing ... Read more

Applications of GPS

Applications of GPS Aviation Almost all modern aircraft are fitted with multiple GPS receivers. This provides pilots and sometimes passengers with a real-time aircraft position and map of each flight’s progress. GPS also allows airline operators to pre-select the safest, fastest and most fuel-efficient routes to each destination, and ensure that each route is followed as closely as possible when the flight is underway. Marine When high accuracy GPS is fitted to boats and ships, it allows captains to navigate through unfamiliar harbours, shipping channels and waterways without running aground or hitting known obstacles. GPS is also used to position ... Read more

World Climate:- Climate and seasons, distribution of rain fall and climatic regions

World Climate:- Climate and seasons, distribution of rain fall and climatic regions Climates and seasons Different parts of the world have different climates. Some parts of the world are hot and rainy nearly every day. They have a tropical wet climate. Others are cold and snow-covered most of the year. They have a polar climate. Between the icy poles and the steamy tropics are many other climates that contribute to Earth’s biodiversity and geologic heritage. Climate is determined by a region’s climate system. A climate system has five major components: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, the land surface, and ... Read more

Types of satellites

Satellites based on application can be categorized as follows: Earth Observation satellite-> Starting with IRS-1A in 1988, ISRO has launched many operational remote sensing satellites. Today, India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation. Currently, *thirteen* operational satellites are in Sun-synchronous orbit – RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, and *four* in Geostationary orbit- INSAT-3D, Kalpana & INSAT 3A, INSAT -3DR. Varieties of instruments have been flown onboard these satellites to provide necessary data in a diversified spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to cater to different ... Read more

GPS (Global  Positioning  System):  Basic  concepts  of  GPS  and  its applications

The Global Positioning System consists of 24 satellites, that circle the globe once every 12 hours, to provide worldwide position, time and velocity information. GPS makes it possible to precisely identify locations on the earth by measuring distance from the satellites. GPS allows you to record or create locations from places on the earth and help you navigate to and from those places. GPS satellites circle the Earth twice a day in a precise orbit. Each satellite transmits a unique signal and orbital parameters that allow GPS devices to decode and compute the precise location of the satellite. GPS receivers ... Read more

Climate and Seasons of India

Climate of India Climate is total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a very long period of time of more than thirty years. But how is weather different from climate? Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any given period of time. Weather can change throughout the day whereas the climate of a country is the same for many years. The climate of India is described as monsoon type. This type of climate is found in south and southeast Asia. However, there are variations in climatic conditions in the country itself. ... Read more