Push broom scanner
Encyclopedia
A Push broom scanner is a technology for obtaining satellite images with optical cameras. It is used for passive remote sensing from space. In a push broom sensor, a line of sensors arranged perpendicular to the flight direction of the spacecraft is used. Different areas of the surface are imaged as the spacecraft flies forward. A push broom scanner can gather more light than a whisk broom scanner
because it looks at a particular area for a longer time, like a long exposure on a camera. One drawback of pushbroom sensors is the varying sensitivity of the individual detectors. These sensors are also known as survey or wide field devices, comparable to wide angle lenses on conventional cameras.
Whisk broom scanner
A whisk broom or spotlight sensor is a technology for obtaining satellite images with optical cameras. It is used for passive remote sensing from space. In a whisk broom sensor, a mirror scans across the satellite’s path , reflecting light into a single detector which collects data one pixel at a...
because it looks at a particular area for a longer time, like a long exposure on a camera. One drawback of pushbroom sensors is the varying sensitivity of the individual detectors. These sensors are also known as survey or wide field devices, comparable to wide angle lenses on conventional cameras.
External links
- Earth Observing-1 (NASA), with animated whisk broom and push broom illustrations