Introduction to Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing

Thermal infrared radiation refers to electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of between 3.5 and 20 micrometers. Most remote sensing applications make use of the 8 to 13 micrometer range. The main difference between thermal
infrared and the infrared (color infrared - CIR) discussed is that thermal infrared is emitted energy that is sensed digitally, whereas the near infrared "photographic infrared" is reflected energy that causes a chemical reaction in film
emulsion.
Thermal Infrared ranges from 5.6 um to 1cm
- water and other gases in the atmosphere restricts aerial systems to two wavelength windows 3 to 5 um and 8 to 15 um (absorption bands)
All photos can be called images but not all images should be called photos - images that are acquired digitally are usually not referred to as photographs ... there is no such thing as a thermal photograph!
Thermal IR imagery is difficult to interpret and process because there is absorbtion by moisture in the atmosphere. Block out a small range of wavelengths along the bottom of a graph of atmospheric transmission in the thermal
wavelengths, then look at the total area under that section. Doing this under one of the peaks in the percent reflectance lines gives you way more area under that line in some short wavelength ranges than in others. Some surfaces will
emit predictably but have "peaks" in certain narrow wavelength ranges due to material and/or structure differences and, most importantly, the water content, this makes for confusing results sometimes unless you know for certain what
covers the area you are looking at or have very precise control of the wavelengths sensed by the instrument (which makes in expensive). Being that and Thermal IR image is digital, using "false color" really helps interpret them because
you can select certain temperature ranges and classify them with a color while leaving the rest gray.
Camoflage Detection

Limitations of thermal imagery:

It can be very expensive to acquire and process
Most thermal imaging systems have strict operational/technical parameters.
- detector materials must be kept extremely cold during use (because the emitted radiation being sensed is very weak)
Thermal infrared imaging systems are notoriously difficult to calibrate
- because temp differences can be very subtle and interactions with atmospheric moisture are unpredictable
The data collected is computationally expensive due to the iterative nature of filtering software
Thermal images can be difficult to interpret compared with other types of imagery, it takes some getting used too (false color helps)
Thermal images of water measures only the very top layer of the water surface
- because those wavelengths are attenuated/absorbed very rapidly, especially in water

AVIRIS imagery show different wavelengths, notice the

smoke obscures the fire's location in visible
wavelengths while the thermal wavelengths are
Aerial Photography (Top) and Thermal Imagery
unaffected by the smoke. Thermal imaging can be
(Bottom), the faulting and subsurface hydrology are
used to locate hot spots in wildfire areas where smoke
apparent due to differences in thermal inertia caused by
reduces visibility.
water content (wet dirt cools at a different rate than dry
dirt)

Day vs. Night Thermal IR Images

Thermal IR Image of San Francisco, notice the wavy
runways caused by heated air above the surface.

which is which? why?

- compare the roofs and the grass in the park.

Kilauea Volcano Panchromatic Photo

Kilauea Volcano Thermal Infrared Image

Nighttime Thermal Image of the Houston Galviston Ship

Channel.
Thermal IR imaging systems have big problems with

atmospheric moisture and temperature differences.

.
Thermal Images of Aircraft Carriers
Notice that there are two sets of apparent jet heat trails, these are called "ghosts". They are errors and result
from lense reflection or instrument calibration error which introduce artifacts.
~0 Kelvin
This is an excellent website with a lot of information that is relatively easy to read and understand.
http://www.omega.com/literature/transactions/volume1/historical1.html