Watching Earth From Space: How Surveillance Helps Us – And Harms Us by Pat Norris; Springer, New York, New York (jointly published with Praxis Publishing, UK); $39.95 (softcover); 2010.
Here’s a book that literally pulls back the curtain on the benefits and problems stemming from the use of satellite imagery.
Watching Earth from Space provides a provocative view of Earth under the looking glass by multiple nations – that is, the powerful lenses and sensors of space-based instruments, be they carrying out military, intelligence or civilian duties. As such, this volume is truly an eye-opener.
Pat Norris has written this easy-to-read and fact-packed book, one that underscores the vital monitoring of our planet for a variety of purposes. Whether it’s scanning for resources for an energy-hungry Earth, mapping natural or human-made calamities, gauging climate change, or the surreptitious scanning of spysats on the prowl for terrorists – it’s all here.
Moreover, there are several unique attributes of this book.
First of all, the basics of satellite remote sensing, a tutorial if you will, is available to the reader. Then there’s a detailed and thought-provoking synopsis of concern regarding governmental intrusion on personal privacy and freedom. Furthermore, this book delves into the possible clash between public good and market forces, as well as future development of systems to deal with emerging needs.
“This book catalogs the main reasons why satellites in outer space are watching the Earth. Many of the reasons are benign while others are deliberately intrusive. The theme of the book is that by and large Earth-watching satellites are a good thing,” explains Norris in the book’s preface.
Thanks to the author’s access to technologists, military and civil users around the globe, including politicians and civil servants, you’ll find this book an absorbing and somewhat unnerving look at how you and your planet are being looked upon.
For more information on the book, go to:
http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/geophysics/book/978-1-4419-6937-8
By Leonard David