Whisk broom scanner

A Whisk broom or spotlight sensor (across track scanner) 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 (ground track), reflecting light into a single detector which collects data one pixel at a time. The moving parts make this type of sensor expensive and more prone to wearing out. Whisk broom scanners have the effect of stopping the scan, and focusing the detector on one part of the swath, typically capturing greater detail in that area. This is also called a close look scanner, comparable to a telephoto lens on a camera.

See also

• Earth Observing-1 (NASA), with animated whisk broom and push broom illustrations