How does a hyperspectral sensor differ from a multispectral sensor?

A hyperspectral sensor is characterized by its ability to capture data across a large number of contiguous spectral bands, typically hundreds, allowing for a detailed spectral analysis of objects. This capability enables the sensor to distinguish between different materials based on their spectral signatures, resulting in enhanced accuracy for applications such as vegetation classification, mineral identification, and water quality assessment. In contrast, multispectral sensors typically capture data in fewer, discrete bands, focusing on specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which may limit their ability to differentiate closely related materials.

The power of hyperspectral imaging lies in its fine spectral resolution and extensive dataset, making it particularly valuable for applications that require high precision in material identification and characterization. Thus, the measure of hundreds of bands by hyperspectral sensors is a significant differentiator compared to multispectral sensors.

The other options reflect misunderstandings about the capabilities and uses of hyperspectral versus multispectral sensors, particularly regarding the number of bands and the effectiveness of imaging at different altitudes.