Thursday, July 9, 2009

Remote Sensing Module 3:




Roads: The roads are bright because the asphalt paved roads absorb more heat and remain warmer overnight. In addition, the streets have already begun to absorb heat from the early morning (6:45 am) sun.

Natural and man-made vegetation: Overnight cooling of vegetation combined with its higher thermal inertia results in the vegetation being cooler, i.e., darker, in the early morning as it requires a longer period of sun exposure to heat.

Sidewalks and patios: The lower thermal inertia of the concrete allows it to more rapidly heat in the morning light. If the sidewalks and patios are made of certain materials, overnight heat retention may play a role in its brighter appearence, much like the asphalt roads.

Storage sheds in back yards: The sheds appear uniformly dark (cooler), much like the houses. The material from which the sheds were built, wood for instance, would have a higher thermal inertia requiring longer sun exposure for warming. Possibly the materials stored in the sheds may contribute to their cooler thermal appearence. A quantity of stored water or building material within a shed could impact the image. The constant shade provided by the shed would lower the temperature variations the material within experienced thereby increasing solar heating times.

Automobiles: The cars that have been sitting all night appear cooler as the early morning sun has not begun heating them yet. Though, cars that are idling or have recently been operated show hot spots from the heat of the internal combustion engines.

Bright spots on many of the roof tops: Ground Temperature is in the lower fifties (Fahrenheit), so the hot spots are either furnace vents from heating units or chimnies above active fireplaces.

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