SOME APPLICATIONS OF AERIAL INFRARED IMAGERY

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper, by showing various applications of infrared imagery, is intended to stimulate thinking among geographers toward the potentiality of airborne infrared imaging systems as geographic research tools. By making use of the capabilities of airborne infrared systems the researcher will gain valuable supplemental information which in many cases is unattainable from conventional aerial photography. The geographer interested in earth science investigations will find infrared imaging systems quite valuable in the determination of certain geological formations and structural features. Hydrographic features, owing to the variation in land-water heat capacities, show quite well on most infrared imagery. Certain types of vegetation may be differentiated more readily in the infrared, than in the visible, portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Other applications to archeological research, rural applications, such as wildlife inventories, and urban investigations, such as commuter studies are also suggested. High resolution infrared radiometers are already being used to great advantage in meteorological studies from orbital altitudes. By applying infrared imaging devices in their research geographers, while gaining valuable supplemental information, may provide data useful in systems development. At present, the geographer may find it difficult to apply infrared sensors to his research because of the relative expense of the system or U.S. Department of Defense security classification of the imagery, but he should be prepared to employ this new tool as more infrared imagery is declassified and more systems come into use.