Across-Track Scanner
Definition
An Across-Track Scanner, also known as a whiskbroom scanner, is a specific type of scanning device used in remote sensing technology to capture data in a swathe perpendicular to the direction of the flight path. In this system, the movement of the rotating mirror controls the scanning. The scanner scans the ground surface in lines from one side to the other, creating a sequential stream of data. Ultimately, this data forms a two-dimensional image, giving a broad perspective from the nadir to the edges of the ground swath.What is an Across-Track Scanner?
An Across-Track scanner is a form of remote sensor used in earth observation satellites and aircraft. It collects information about the Earth's surface in a series of continuous, parallel lines known as scan lines. These scan lines run perpendicular to the flight path, forming a right angle with the direction of travel.The system works by using a rotating mirror to reflect incoming light onto a sensor. As the mirror moves, it essentially "sweeps" across a given field of view, capturing data in a pattern resembling a broom's bristles—hence the name 'whiskbroom scanner'. The advantage of this type of scanner is that it utilizes a single detector, which ensures a consistent response to the reflected light, resulting in precise and reliable information about the observed surface.
An across-track scanner is commonly used in meteorological observations, land-use land-cover mapping and monitoring, environmental studies, and other fields that require the capture of detailed geospatial data.
