This image is a real color photo of a building and a tree. The sun emitting light is drawn over it, with infrared and green light being reflected upwards.

When we look at trees and grass, we see green.
The grass reflects green light and absorbs all
the other colors. But grass and trees also reflect
light we cannot see.

This image shows an infrared photo of the same building and tree. The vegetation appears red in this image.

This light is called infrared light. Special film
is used to record infrared information. Since we
cannot see infrared light, scientists give it a color
Red is the color most commonly used to show
this light, but it can be shown in any color

 

Special sensors on the satellites can
also record infrared light.

 

Scientists use data received from the satellite in different combinations.
Which combination of data would you use if you were a farmer? Answer: 1,2,4

True Color satellite image of a city. Infrared satellite image of a city. Image that uses different band combination to emphasize concrete.

1,2,3:
True color does not help
scientists see differences
between many of the
earth's features.
Rock appears dark in this
image and so do areas
of vegetation such as
farmer's crops.

 

 

 

 1,2,4:
This combination of data shows
vegetation, like a farmer's crops.

Infrared image of a field.

Farmers can use infrared images
to identify heathly and unheathy
crops.

Close-up image of a field in Infrared

1,2,5:
This combination displays
concrete of city streets as
the color blue. This might
help a city planner but a
farmer would not find
this image very useful.
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