remote sensing

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun The acquisition of data relating to an object by the use of sensing devices not in contact with the object, as in weather data collection by a satellite or observation of internal organs through ultrasound.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• noun sciences Gaining information about an object without coming in direct contact with it. Eg, satellite imaging, thermal imaging.
• noun parapsychology Claimed ability of some psychics to be able to see items not in plain view. Eg, reading while blindfolded, or stating the name of a card hidden in a sealed envelope.