Analysis of radar images of the Sentinel-1 satellite using the EO Browser web resource

Abstract

The article's purpose is to review the capabilities of the EO Browser web resource and tools for remote sensing data analysis and visualization. Examples of satellite images obtained using a synthetic aperture radar are given. The presented results were obtained during the processing of radar images of the Sentinel-1 satellite, which are freely available thanks to the implementation of the Copernicus program concept regarding the public availability of Earth remote sensing data. The results of satellite radar acquisition are used to prevent, preserve, and forecast natural or technogenic threats and risks, considering the high frequency of acquisition and the promptness of obtained data. The effectiveness of using the web resource in solving the environmental monitoring tasks in seawater areas, identifying accident sites, determining the area of oil spills, planning measures to eliminate the consequences and reduce environmental risks, and collecting the evidence base about the event is shown. The mechanism of reflection of the radar signal from various natural surfaces (including oil spills into the sea) and artificial objects (for detecting the position of sea vessels) is considered. A comparison of the effectiveness of using radar images of the Sentinel-1 satellite with optical images taken by the Sentinel-2 satellite for monitoring the condition of forest areas was performed. Satellite radar images are a reliable data source for continuously monitoring unregulated woodland destruction. The results' practical significance lies in using EO Browser to solve a wide range of scientific, practical, and educational problems using radar images. Further research using satellite radar images and the EO Browser platform is related to environmental monitoring in marine water areas. This applies to issues related to the detection of accumulations of garbage and plastic on water surfaces. It is promising to use the potential of the web resource for position designing and rapid determination of the effectiveness of deploying ground corner reflectors during geodynamic monitoring of the earth's surface. Keywords: synthetic aperture radar, remote sensing, environmental monitoring