A spectral signature is the unique reflectance pattern of a material across various wavelengths of light. These reflectance values are typically expressed as percentages, indicating how much light a surface reflects at specific wavelengths.
Why It Matters #
Spectral signatures are fundamental in remote sensing. They enable the identification and classification of materials on Earth’s surface by comparing the reflectance values recorded in satellite images to known spectral patterns. This is especially useful in:
- Mineral and geological exploration
- Environmental monitoring
- Infrastructure detection
Understanding these patterns allows the platform to correlate your data with remote sensing data, highlighting pixels that match the materials of interest.