Remote sensing of the Earth's surface and atmosphere may involve the use of what type of instruments?

The answer is satellites

Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object.

The methods of sensing are based on electromagnetic energy released or reflected from Earth's surface at some range above the earth. Remote sensors can be either passive or active depending upon the source of electromagnetic energy.

Earth's surface and atmosphere may involve the use of any of the instruments depending on the type of research to be done.

There are mainly two types of instruments used, passive and active instruments, below are some of the instruments used;

Ozone and Aerosol LiDAR. Radar Wind Profiler, Radiometer, Imaging Radiometer, Spectrometer, Spectroradiometer, Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging), Scatterometer, Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), Laser Altimeter, SAOZ Instrument.