rmstein@ieee.org
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 06:21:03 -0700
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-we-always-trust-what-we-see-in-satellite-images/
The author argues that an "on the ground" confirmation is a wise precaution to verify imagery content. Image processing algorithms can render misleading impressions which affect major decisions.
"One example of the misuse of remotely sensed data was in 2003, when satellite images were used as evidence of sites of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. These images revealed what were identified as active chemical munitions bunkers and areas where earth had been graded and moved to hide evidence of chemical production. This turned out not to be the case."
"Trust but verify" remains a wise precaution to follow when analyzing satellite imagery.