Glossary
3D modeling designing and visualizing data that
contains a third dimension (a z-axis) in addition to xand y-values.
3D trilateration finding a location on Earth’s
surface in relation to the positions of three
satellites.
3D Warehouse Google’s online repository of 3D
objects created using Google SketchUp.
8-bit imagery a digital image that carries a range of
brightness values from 0 to 255.
AAG the Association of American Geographers, the
national organization for the field of geography.
absorption when light is trapped and held by a
target.
across-track a scanning method using a rotating
mirror to collect data by moving the device the width
of the satellite’s swath.
address matching another term for geocoding.
address standardization setting up the components
of an address in a regular format.
AEJEE the ArcExplorer Java Edition for Educators—a
free GIS program produced by Esri that can display
data, create maps, and perform basic analysis.
aerial photography the acquisition of imagery of the
ground taken from an airborne platform.
affine transformation a linear mathematical process
by which data can be altered to align with another
data source.
Afternoon Constellation a set of satellites (including
Aqua and Aura) that pass the Equator in the afternoon
during their orbits.
AIRS the Advanced Infrared Sounder instrument
onboard Aqua (used in conjunction with Aqua’s HSB
and AMSU-A instruments).
algorithm a set of steps used in a process (for
example, the steps used in computing a shortest path).
ALI the multispectral sensor onboard EO-1.
almanac data concerning the status of a GPS satellite,
which is included in the information being transmitted
by the satellite.
along-track a scanning method using a linear array to
collect data directly on the path the satellite moves on.
AmericaView a United States national organization
dedicated to remote sensing research and education.
AMSR-E the Advanced Microwave Scanning
Radiometer for EOS instrument onboard Aqua.
AMSU-A the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit
instrument onboard Aqua.
anaglyph a new image created by slightly offsetting
the features in an existing image slightly from each
other and highlighting them in different colors.
AND the Boolean operation that corresponds with an
Intersection operation.
API Application Programming Interface—the
functions and commands used when making requests
of software.
Aqua a key EOS satellite whose mission is to monitor
Earth’s water cycle.
Arc/Info an Esri GIS product that required commandline entry for tools and capabilities.
ArcGIS Esri’s current primary GIS software package.
ArcGIS Explorer a virtual Earth tool that can be
downloaded for free from Esri.
ArcGIS Online a collection of available Web
resources made available by Esri.
ArcGIS Server an Esri utility for distribution of
geospatial data in an interactive mapping format on
the Internet.
ArcGlobe a 3D visualization tool used to display data
in a global environment, which is part of Esri’s ArcGIS
program.
ArcMap the component of ArcGIS used for viewing
and analyzing data.
ArcScene the 3D visualization and design component
of Esri’s ArcGIS program.
ArcView an Esri GIS product developed with a
Windows interface.
ASPRS the American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing, a professional organization in
the geospatial and remote sensing field.
ASTER the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission
and Reflection Radiometer instrument onboard Terra.
atmospheric windows those wavelengths of
electromagnetic energy in which most of the energy
passes through Earth’s atmosphere.
G-1
3D modeling designing and visualizing data that
contains a third dimension (a z-axis) in addition to xand y-values.
3D trilateration finding a location on Earth’s
surface in relation to the positions of three
satellites.
3D Warehouse Google’s online repository of 3D
objects created using Google SketchUp.
8-bit imagery a digital image that carries a range of
brightness values from 0 to 255.
AAG the Association of American Geographers, the
national organization for the field of geography.
absorption when light is trapped and held by a
target.
across-track a scanning method using a rotating
mirror to collect data by moving the device the width
of the satellite’s swath.
address matching another term for geocoding.
address standardization setting up the components
of an address in a regular format.
AEJEE the ArcExplorer Java Edition for Educators—a
free GIS program produced by Esri that can display
data, create maps, and perform basic analysis.
aerial photography the acquisition of imagery of the
ground taken from an airborne platform.
affine transformation a linear mathematical process
by which data can be altered to align with another
data source.
Afternoon Constellation a set of satellites (including
Aqua and Aura) that pass the Equator in the afternoon
during their orbits.
AIRS the Advanced Infrared Sounder instrument
onboard Aqua (used in conjunction with Aqua’s HSB
and AMSU-A instruments).
algorithm a set of steps used in a process (for
example, the steps used in computing a shortest path).
ALI the multispectral sensor onboard EO-1.
almanac data concerning the status of a GPS satellite,
which is included in the information being transmitted
by the satellite.
along-track a scanning method using a linear array to
collect data directly on the path the satellite moves on.
AmericaView a United States national organization
dedicated to remote sensing research and education.
AMSR-E the Advanced Microwave Scanning
Radiometer for EOS instrument onboard Aqua.
AMSU-A the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit
instrument onboard Aqua.
anaglyph a new image created by slightly offsetting
the features in an existing image slightly from each
other and highlighting them in different colors.
AND the Boolean operation that corresponds with an
Intersection operation.
API Application Programming Interface—the
functions and commands used when making requests
of software.
Aqua a key EOS satellite whose mission is to monitor
Earth’s water cycle.
Arc/Info an Esri GIS product that required commandline entry for tools and capabilities.
ArcGIS Esri’s current primary GIS software package.
ArcGIS Explorer a virtual Earth tool that can be
downloaded for free from Esri.
ArcGIS Online a collection of available Web
resources made available by Esri.
ArcGIS Server an Esri utility for distribution of
geospatial data in an interactive mapping format on
the Internet.
ArcGlobe a 3D visualization tool used to display data
in a global environment, which is part of Esri’s ArcGIS
program.
ArcMap the component of ArcGIS used for viewing
and analyzing data.
ArcScene the 3D visualization and design component
of Esri’s ArcGIS program.
ArcView an Esri GIS product developed with a
Windows interface.
ASPRS the American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing, a professional organization in
the geospatial and remote sensing field.
ASTER the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission
and Reflection Radiometer instrument onboard Terra.
atmospheric windows those wavelengths of
electromagnetic energy in which most of the energy
passes through Earth’s atmosphere.
G-1