Why is infrared imaging valuable for monitoring environmental conditions?

Infrared imaging is particularly valuable for monitoring environmental conditions because it can be utilized during both day and night. This characteristic allows for continuous observation regardless of the time of day, which is crucial for assessing dynamic environmental changes, such as land temperature fluctuations, vegetation health, and thermal anomalies.

The ability to gather such data around the clock enhances the understanding of various processes, such as heat retention in urban areas or the behavior of wildlife at different times. While other imaging modalities may be limited to daylight hours, infrared sensors can penetrate darkness, providing critical information that wouldn't be available otherwise. Thus, this capability significantly contributes to more comprehensive environmental monitoring efforts.