Visible Vs Infrared Satellite Images

There is an important difference between visible and infrared images.

Visible vs infrared satellite images. Visible image of se usa infrared image of se usa notice the visible image has a higher resolution of the clouds. A visible satellite image is created by looking only at the visible portion of the light spectrum and is thus only really useful during daylight hours. Miniature visible satellite image 42k a visible images measure scattered light and the example here depicts a wide line of clouds stretching across the southeastern united states and then northward into ontario and quebec. Visible satellite images which look like black and white photographs are derived from the satellite signals.

The infrared ir image comes from the satellite detecting heat energy in the infrared sepectrum and thus does not depend on visible light. Visible left and infrared right satellite images of a classic comma shaped pattern of clouds associated with a strong low pressure system centered over ohio at 18z on april 30 1996. A the visible image depicts clouds stretching from the gulf of mexico northeastward into canada. Visible satellite images record visible light from the sun that is reflected by clouds land oceans or snow and ice.

While derived from operational satellites the data products and imagery available on this website are intended for informational purposes only. Clouds usually appear white while land and water surfaces appear in shades of gray or black. Hurricanes are basically powered by warm ocean waters and the ability to track the ocean a. Some satellites can capture images in both visible light and infrared weather satellites use the infrared images to show where the heat within storms are.

Below the images i will discuss characteristics that can be determined from the images and satellite images in general. This website is supported on a monday friday basis so outages may occur without notice and may not be immediately resolved. You can advance the imagery by placing your cursor over the image and using your mouse s scroll wheel clicking the image and using the up and down. On visible it is easier to see the individual cloud elements.

Note that while no temperature scale is shown for the infrared image brighter shades indicate lower temperatures. Clouds the earth s atmosphere and the earth s surface all absorb and. There is more texture on visible also. Visible vs infrared vs water vapor reflectivity vs temperature vs moisture images a b and c are examples of visible and infrared and water vapor satellite images respectively valid for the same time.

Therefore the clouds over louisiana mississippi. Since visible images record reflected light rather then emitted radiation they tell how reflective an object is but nothing about its temperature.