By
Giorgio Franceschetti, JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory , Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
Daniele Riccio, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Italy
Description
This book provides a comprehensive overview of electromagnetic scattering from natural surfaces, ranging from the classical to the more
recent (fractal) approach. As remote sensing applications become increasingly important, this text provides readers with a solid background
in interpretation, classification and thematization of microwave images. The “scattering problem” is discussed in detail with emphasis
on its application to electromagnetic wave propagation, remote sensing, radar detection, and electromagnetic diagnostics. Natural surface
and fractals complete this treatise focusing on how the fractal model represents our natural environment and other planets in our solar
system, most recently as used to research the planet Venus and Titan, one of the moons of Saturn. An example of how scattering, fractals,
and natural surfaces are of great importance is the following: Natural oil slicks in the ocean have been found to be fractal while man-made
ones (generated by illegal washing of oil carrying ships) are not. Processing of an ocean image from space may detect the latter by means
of a fractal analysis.
Audience:
Geoscience and remote sensing technical and scientific community ie. engineers, physicists, geologists, applied
mathematicians, earth scientists.
This book should also be useful as a text for graduate courses on electromagnetic
scattering and remote sensing.
