Thermal Remote Sensing Lecture

Flashcards covering the fundamental laws, calculations, and sensors associated with thermal infrared remote sensing.

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used in thermal remote sensing, spanning from $3\text{ μm}$ to $14\text{ μm}$.

Thermal IR Wavelength Range

The principle stating that all objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit radiation.

Planck’s Law

A law stating that objects with higher temperatures emit radiation at a greater intensity than those at lower temperatures.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law (Conceptual)

A law stating that the wavelength at which an object emits its maximum radiation intensity depends on its temperature, defined by the formula $\lambda_{max} = \frac{K}{T}$.

Wien’s Displacement Law

The constant value used in Wien's Displacement Law, equal to $2898\text{ μm K}$.

Constant K (Wien's Displacement Law)

The specific wavelength where Earth radiates most intensely, calculated as $9.66\text{ μm}$ based on an average temperature of $300\text{ K}$.

Earth Peak Emission Wavelength

The spatial resolution of the Thermal Infrared Sensor on Landsat satellites, which is $100\text{ m}$.

Landsat TIRS Resolution

The equation $M = σT^{4}$ used to calculate total radiant exitance.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law (Mathematical)

The constant value in the Stefan-Boltzmann equation, equal to $5.6697 \times 10^{-8}\text{ W/m}^{2}\text{K}^{4}$.

Stefan-Boltzmann Constant ($\u03C3$)

The total energy emitted by an object per unit time per unit area.

Radiant Exitance ($M$)

The internal energy of an object, representing what is traditionally thought of as temperature.

Kinetic Temperature

The perception of an object's energy state based on the radiation it emits.

Radiant Temperature

A theoretical object where the kinetic temperature and radiant temperature are exactly the same.

Black Body Radiator

A factor used to compensate for differences in materials when calculating surface temperature, often requiring NDVI for derivation.

Emissivity

The 'Top of Atmosphere' temperature value obtained after processing at-sensor reflectance.

TOA Brightness Temperature

The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer, an alternative sensor used for thermal data collection.

AVHRR

Acronym for Forward Looking Infrared, referring to thermal cameras often used on drones, planes, or for handheld imaging.

FLIR

A specific application of thermal remote sensing used to study elevated temperatures in urban areas compared to rural surroundings.

Urban Heat Islands