True or False. Radiance in remote sensing is energy emitted by the sensor.

The statement is false because radiance in remote sensing refers to the measure of the amount of radiation that is transmitted from a surface in a specific direction and is not something emitted by the sensor itself. Instead, sensors measure the radiance from the Earth’s surface, which is the energy that has been emitted, reflected, or scattered by the surface after interacting with the incoming solar radiation or another energy source.

The role of the sensor is to detect this radiance, capture it, and convert it into data that can be analyzed for various purposes, such as environmental monitoring or land use planning. This distinction is crucial because it underscores the fact that the sensor's function is to measure existing energy rather than produce it, clarifying the nature of how remote sensing operates in practice. Understanding this principle is fundamental for anyone working in the field of remote sensing or related disciplines.