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Thermography or thermal imaging, refers to the process of recording the emission or existence of thermal or infrared radiation (heat), by employing the use of a thermal imaging device or infrared camera, sometimes referred to as an "IR". Although thermal imaging can be used in the daylight, thermography allows one to "see" in the dark as it does not rely of the reflectance of light within the "visible" range of the Electromagnetic spectrum in order to record imagery. All objects at temperatures above Absolute Zero ( 0 K or -273.15 °C) emit some sort of thermal radiation, many within the infrared portion of the Electromagnetic spectrum. Thermography refers to the wavelengths within the spectrum in units of nanometers, micrometers, or microns. The commonly referred to ranges within the spectrum are gamma rays, x-rays, uv rays, visible, infrared (IR), microwave, and radio. Some objects that are very hot (such as the Sun) emit thermal radiation viewable within multiple parts of the EM spectrum such as the "visible", the "ultraviolet" (UV) and the "infrared" areas.
What is Thermography used for? Thermography is employed in many areas. Building diagnostics, non-destructive testing, military, maintenance, law enforcement, security, veterinary, medical, as well as astronomy are just are few of the areas where thermography is used to identify or diagnose potential problems. Thermal imaging is also used in infrared satellites to monitor the Earth's weather & vegetation patterns. In the medical arena, thermography is actually referred to as "thermology" although "thermal imaging" is often heard (as in the term "thermal imaging lab". The following is a list of thermal imaging terms or "therminology" that one might hear when referring to the use of thermography: - Thermal imaging,
- Thermal imaging technology,
- Thermology,
- Infrared thermography,
- Infrared camera technology,
- Infrared cameras or IR cameras,
- FLIR,
- Thermal infrared,
- Thermographic imaging,
- Thermal radiation recording,
- Thermal imaging lab, etc.
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