What term is used to describe using a sensor that is not in close proximity to the target?

The term that describes using a sensor that is not in close proximity to the target is Remote Sensing. This encompasses various techniques and technologies for collecting data about an object or area from a distance, typically from airborne or satellite platforms. Remote Sensing allows for the acquisition of information without direct contact, facilitating the observation and analysis of large geographic areas efficiently.

For example, using satellites equipped with imaging sensors to capture data about Earth’s surface, weather conditions, or environmental changes exemplifies Remote Sensing. This capability is crucial in applications such as environmental monitoring, land use planning, and disaster response, where the ability to gather data from afar is necessary and often more practical than ground-level observations.

In contrast, Ground Observation involves collecting data directly from the surface, which requires the sensor to be in close proximity to the target. Field Analysis typically refers to more localized studies where data is gathered in the field, again implying a closeness to the subject of interest. Satellite Imaging is a subset of Remote Sensing, but it can sometimes lead to confusion because it specifically refers to images obtained from satellites rather than the broader concept of measuring and analyzing distant objects.