Thermal imaging is the science of using thermal infrared detectors to detect heat radiation of an object. Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects and living beings on the planet. In plain words every object has a temperature and lets out unique heat signatures. The heat radiation can be seen with the help of a thermal infrared imaging camera. Using this special camera one is able to see warmer objects against cooler backgrounds. The camera can used to detect humans and animals using the heat radiations they emit.
When a thermal infrared camera is focused on an object the infrared energy transmitted and reflected by it is captured by the camera. The main advantage of using such kind of camera is that it does not require light or any sort of illumination to film any object. Thus thermal imaging is used in a wide array ranging from military, medical, construction, firefighting, and power line maintenance among others.
During a major fire accident the fire fighters use the thermal infrared camera to see through heavy smoke and locate people by the heat radiation they emit. Engineers during power line maintenance use the same to detect over heated parts. In construction industry it is used detect heat and air leaks which in turn help in improving air conditioning. The thermal imaging devices originally originated from the military where they are used detect movements in pitch dark. In medical field they are widely used to detect any detect diseases and disorders in the human body.
