We’re delighted to announce the launch of the second edition of the Practical Handbook of Remote Sensing written by the Directors, and cofounders, of Pixalytics Ltd, Samantha and Andrew Lavender.
This ‘how-to’ guide offers the opportunity for anyone to learn how to find, download, process and visualize a range of free-to-access satellite data using just a computer and an internet connection. No prior knowledge is required, and all the software and data used in the book is open-source and freely available.
The second edition has been updated with the latest scientific and technical developments in satellite remote sensing, including new practical examples using data from Copernicus satellites, and a new chapter focusing on atmospheric remote sensing. It offers a combination of introduction to theory – although we keep the maths to a minimum! – together with practical exercises on urban environments, land use and land cover, the terrestrial water cycle, coastal environments & atmospheric gases and pollutants.
Together these sections should give anyone a good foundation to start working with satellite data and begin to investigate what is happening in their local environment, or looking at changes on a larger scale. The second edition is published by CRC Press, part of the Taylor & Francis Group, and the book can be purchased from their website.
The book is supported by an accompanying website, PlayingWithRSData, which has more details and keeps users updated with any changes to the software or the data.
The first edition of the Practical Handbook of Remote Sensing was published in 2015, also by CRC Press, and was the culmination of long held desire by Samantha to publish an educational text for someone who knows nothing about the subject. Andrew joined her to provide the complete remote sensing novice, and he took on the responsibility to read everything and test all the exercises. The rule was if Andrew didn’t understand it, then it had to be changed. This enabled them to produce a book that anyone can pick up and use. We’ve also had this proved over the years, as we given the book to work experience placements and interns as an introduction to the work of Pixalytics, and within a couple of days the students are producing their own satellite images.
We were honoured when the first edition was awarded an Outstanding Academic Title of 2016 by Choice, a publication of the Association of College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Libraries Association. The first edition offered paperback, hardback, an Indian translation, and electronic versions, and has sold almost one thousand copies in the various forms, something we were really pleased about for a relatively ‘niche’ book.
We work in the remote sensing industry, in the satellite section, within the space industry, and while we want to do well with our business we also wanted to contribute to, support and encourage all the sectors we work in. This book is one way we hope to be able to do that now and into the future.
So if you know anyone interested in getting into the industry, you know where you can buy a fantastic text book!
