What Changes Radar Backscatter?
• Students will be able to describe how backscatter can change through the use of a different polarization, wavelength, time of observation or observation angle. • Students will be able to explain two advantages to using radar in monitoring change over time on the earth. For example deforestation and urban growth. • Students will be able to give an example of what a long wavelength would be sensitive to. For example a tree trunk. Backscatter can change if we use a different polarization, wavelength, time of observation, or observation angle. Different polarizations can often be used to distinguish between different types of scattering, as will be seen later. For example, smooth surfaces, rough surfaces and vegetation layers all give different signatures if the various polarizations are examined. Using different wavelengths can often give sensitivity to different sizes of structure. For example, when looking at a forest, the radar cross section at shorter wavelengths, e.g. C-band (6cm),
