Aerogeology refers to the study of geology using aerial methods such as airplanes and satellites. Some synonyms for aerogeology include remote sensing, aerial geology, and air photo interpretation. Remote sensing is the process of gathering data about the earth's surface using instruments that are not in contact with the surface. Aerial geology is the study of geological features from high altitude using aircraft. Air photo interpretation is the process of analyzing photographs taken from the air to identify geological features. Other related terms include geospatial analysis, photogeology, and satellite imagery analysis. All of these terms refer to the use of aerial methods for the study of geology.