New dimensions to monitor Earth prove ever-more useful With
interest growing in satellite radar techniques that provide 3D
views of Earth's natural and urban environments, scientists from
around the world recently gathered to review the latest findings
and show how these methods can be used to monitor our changing
world. The technique of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) radar
polarimetry allows polarised information to be measured in the
signals backscattered from Earth to a satellite sensor.
Polarimetric interferometry is achieved by using two
polarimetric images, acquired from slightly different angles, to
provide information on the 3D structure of the view. With the
opportunity to review the advances made in this field, more than
200 researchers from over 24 countries came together at the
biennial POLinSAR workshop held at ESA's centre for Earth
observation in Italy. In response to growing interest in this
field, ESA also hosted a week-long course just prior to the
event so that PhD students could learn more