ASOG Article of the Month: January 2022
ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan
More than a Pilot, you are the person expected (or should be expected) on a flight crew to know how the invisible and visible world of energy affects a wide range of things in a single flight or mission, i.e., sensor operations, data links, and even inflight smartphone usage. So, where are you on the map of understanding the basics of the Electromagnetic Spectrum?
Without saying, the word "Airborne Sensor Operator" projects you're the high-tech expert to others. But, especially when it comes to collection systems and aspects of what is going on in your particular Aerial Work flight operation. If you didn't perceive this sense, you need to "pickup your game" to help improve your working knowledge and aerial collection efforts.
So with that, what is the electromagnetic spectrum and its importance to you as an ASO?
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM 101
At its core, The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the scale of all types of EM radiation. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation. The other kinds of EM radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum are microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma-rays. (NASA CILab, 2016)
Electromagnetic radiation can be described as a stream of mass-less particles, called photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light. Each photon contains a certain amount of energy. The different types of radiation are defined by the amount of energy found in the photons. For example, radio waves have photons with low energies, and microwave photons have a little more energy than radio waves, infrared photons have still more, then visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and, the most energetic of all, gamma-rays. (NASA GSFC, 2013)
WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM?
ASOs who choose to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum not only gain the skills needed to understand complex sensors and systems (e.g., EO/IR, LiDAR, SAR, etc.) but come away with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, as well as technical understanding necessary to succeed in the ASO world. In fact, having a basic understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum can be helpful for professionals in all industries, not just in aviation and remote-sensing.
ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Here's a look at several advantages of learning about the electromagnetic spectrum and how it can benefit your aerial remote sensing organization, flight crew, and career:
- You'll Expand Your Vocabulary - Whether it's wavelength, hertz, or reflection, learning about the electromagnetic spectrum will give you confidence in fundamental terms needed to understand how systems operate and their relationship to the environment. Even if you don't use these words often in your current role, learning about these spectrum terms and principles will give you a better understanding of operational dynamics as a whole and how they apply to your work. Plus, depending on where you work, it will help you better communicate with clients, supervisors, and other co-workers.
- You'll Put New Knowledge into Practice - Electromagnetic spectrum isn't just learning a fancy set of terms and numbers; it's actually using them to understand, explain or manage the electronic sensors and systems you operate. When you understand this science, you can use principles and frameworks to assess situations and make a variety of operational decisions, e.g., whether to operate a LiDAR system in high sun angles and reflection conditions or the best ways to maximize an EO/IR sensor during certain kinds of conditions and environments.
- You'll Improve Your Career Prospects – Learning about the electromagnetic spectrum can improve your employability in various aerial remote sensing industry sectors. For example, here are a few job requirements taken from several different job posting which requires a candidate to have a good or excellent understanding of the spectrum:
- “Experience and understanding of Remote Sensing”
- “In-aircraft equipment alignment, calibration, and testing”
- “Operating airborne LiDAR, digital imaging systems, and GPS instruments”
- “Monitor the quality of GPS, image data performance”
- “Routine maintenance and troubleshooting of laser sensor, GPS equipment, and other in-flight equipment”
OPTIONS FOR STUDYING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
There are many routes available for those looking to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum. Depending on your personal and professional goals, your current stage in life, and other important factors, you can learn about the spectrum from the comfort of your smartphone to taking a course at a local college.
So, if you are itching to get started to learn or just want to refresh yourself on the basics of the electromagnetic spectrum, here are a few sources that I think are perfect for the job:
- Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (NASA, Video)
- Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (NASA, Booklet)
- Electromagnetic Spectrum (Wikipedia, Article)
Whether you're new to the Airborne Sensor Operator world or an experienced ASO, having a thorough understanding of how radiation energy affects your job is essential to success.
Comments