What is the primary use of thermal remote sensing?

The primary use of thermal remote sensing is to measure surface temperatures. This technique involves detecting the infrared radiation emitted by objects, which corresponds to their temperature. Thermal sensors capture this infrared radiation, allowing researchers to assess temperature variations across different surfaces, such as land, water, and vegetation. This capability is crucial for applications such as monitoring environmental changes, assessing heat distribution in urban areas, and studying climate phenomena.

In contrast, capturing color imagery of landscapes primarily involves visible light and is not the main focus of thermal sensors. Tracking wildlife migrations usually relies on different types of sensors and methods that focus on movement patterns rather than temperature. Analyzing land use may utilize thermal data indirectly, but it relies more on visual data and categorization of surface materials rather than temperature readings. Thus, the ability to accurately measure and analyze surface temperatures distinguishes thermal remote sensing in the realm of remote sensing technologies.