The document discusses thermal remote sensing, emphasizing its role in acquiring and analyzing data from the thermal infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. It covers fundamental concepts such as radiation laws, emissivity, various types of thermal sensors, and a range of applications including environmental monitoring, military applications, and meteorology. The advantages and disadvantages of thermal remote sensing are also highlighted, noting its ability to detect true object temperatures and challenges related to sensor maintenance and image interpretation.

1. THERMAL REMOTE SENSING
AND ITS APPLICATIONS
VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY
GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PRESENTED BY- CHANDAN ROY
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2.  CONTENTS:-
 Introduction
 Definition Of Thermal Remote Sensing
 Thermal IR and Atmospheric Window
 Fundamentals of Radiation law
 Atmospheric effect
 Thermal Data Acquisition
 Different types of thermal sensors
 Applications of thermal remote sensing
 Advantages and Disadvantages of ‘TIRS’
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3.  Introduction:-
Thermal Remote Sensing is the branch of remote sensing that deals with
the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data acquired primarily
In the thermal infrared(TIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum(EM).
The thermal remote sensing we measured the radiation emitted, from the
surface of the target, as opposed to the optical remote sensing where we
measured the radiation ‘reflected’ by the target under consideration.
Kahle (1980), Sabins (1996) and Gupta (1991)
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4.  Definition of Thermal Remote Sensing(TRS):-
Thermal remote sensing is a type of passive remote sensing since it
detects naturally emitted radiation. Most thermal remote sensing in
conducted in the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm wavelengths. This module reviews the
basics of thermal radiation, emissivity and thermal imaging systems.
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5.  Thermal IR and Atmospheric windows:-
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6.  Electromagnetic Spectrum of Thermal Infared :-
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7.  Fundamentals of Radiation laws:-
A blackbody is a hypothetical, ideal radiator that totally absorbs and re-emits
all energy incident upon it. The total energy a blackbody radiates and the
spectral distribution of the emitted energy (radiation curve) depends on the
temperature of the blackbody and can be described by
 Planck’s radiation law
 Stefan-Boltzmann law
 Wien’s displacement law
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8.  Planck’s Radiation law
Planck explained the spectral-
energy falling upon it, reaches
some equilibrium temperature, and
then reemits that energy as quick
as it absorbs it. Majority of
blackbody radiation in infared
zone.
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9.  Stefan-Boltzman law:-
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10.  Wein’s Displacement Law:-
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11.  What is Emissivity:-
 There is no blackbody in nature.
 All natural objects are gray bodies, they emit
a fraction of their maximum possible
blackbody radiation at given temperature.
 Emissivity is the ratio of real world selected
radiating body(Mr) and a blackbody at the
same thermodynamic temperature(Mb)
 𝜺 = 𝑴𝒓/Mb
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12.  Emissivity depends on following factors:-
If the emissivity of an object varies with wavelength, the object is said
to be a selective radiance.
A graybody has 𝜺<1 but is constant at all wavelength
A selectively radiating bodies has emissivity ranging 0 ≤ 1.
• Color
• Surface Roughness
• Moisture Contant
• Compaction
• Field of view
• Viewing angle
 What is Emissivity:-
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13.  Types of Thermal Sensors
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14.  Applications of Thermal Remote Sensing:-
• Forest fires
• Volcanology
• Intelligence / military applications
• Heat loss from buildings(UHI)
• Identification of geological units and structures
• Soil moisture studies
• Hydrology
• Coastal zones
• Coal fires
• Meteorology
• Medical sciences
• Others
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15.  Applications of Thermal Remote Sensing:-
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16. UHI
Military Purposes
Forest Fire
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17.  Applications of Thermal Remote Sensing:-
Tropical Cyclone Identification Forest Fire
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18. Advantages and Disadvantages of ‘TIRS’
Advantage
• We can detect true temperature
of an objects.
• Feature can’t be detected by
optical ‘RS’ may be detected
with thermal ‘IR’
Disadvantages
• It is pretty difficult to maintain
the sensors at required temp.
• Image Interpretation of thermal
is difficult.
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19. THANK YOU!
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