Book excerpt: Introduction to Remote Sensing Principles and Concepts provides a comprehensive student introduction to both the theory and application of remote sensing. This textbook * introduces the field of remote sensing and traces its historical development and evolution * presents detailed explanations of core remote sensing principles and concepts providing the theory required for a clear understanding of remotely sensed images. * describes important remote sensing platforms - including Landsat, SPOT and NOAA * examines and illustrates many of the applications of remotely sensed images in various fields. A unique World Wide Web site accompanies this textbook. Developed for the users of Netscape 3 / Internet Explorer or above, this site offers: * over 45 full colour images with descriptions * examples illustrating remote sensing applications for meteorology, geology, vegetation studies, urban studies and oceanography * material from the Americas, the UK, Ireland, Africa, Australasia, Africa and Western Europe * Image exercises, with answers * Shorter questions and answers on remote sensing * An online glossary of terms, links to sources of useful remote sensing information available online.