infrared imagery
Quick Summary
Infrared imagery captures and records infrared radiation, a form of electromagnetic radiation beyond the visible red light spectrum. Discovered by William Herschel in 1800, it falls between 1012 and 5 × 1014 Hz. This radiation is emitted and absorbed by vibrating atoms and molecules, making it detectable as warmth.
Infrared photography can reveal details not visible to the naked eye. It's used in aerial photography to cut through haze, in forensics to detect forgeries, and in medicine to visualize subcutaneous blood vessels. Remote sensing techniques utilize infrared energy to map surface temperatures with high precision, showing phenomena like groundwater movement. Instruments like Landsat satellites capture infrared data to analyze landforms, vegetation, and geological features.123
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