What does incident energy refer to in the context of remote sensing?

Incident energy in the context of remote sensing specifically refers to the total amount of energy per wavelength that interacts with an object. This concept is crucial because it encompasses all the energy that strikes an object before any interaction occurs, such as reflection, absorption, or transmission. The characteristics of the incident energy help determine how an object will interact with different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, which is foundational for remote sensing analysis.

When remote sensing technology captures data, it is essential to understand the nature of the incident energy to interpret the information accurately. Analyzing how various surfaces reflect or absorb this incident energy across different wavelengths allows scientists to derive valuable information about the properties, composition, and state of the observed objects. In essence, incident energy sets the stage for all subsequent measurements and interpretations in remote sensing applications.