Kenneth Watson (1974 and 1975) of the USGS has developed a 
mathematical model of the near-surface conductive heat transfer that 
has a variety of uses including the measurement of physical properties 
of surface materials and the identification of abnormal "geothermal" 
anomalies. Excerpts from Watson's 1975 report summary follow: 
"Because the interpretation of these (infrared) images is 
complicated by the effects of many geologic, meteorologic, 
and hydrologic factors, a theoretical model was developed 
which can be used to predict optimum times for data acqui- 
sition to determine quantitative values of various terrain 
Properties. 
Geothermal application of thermal images has been limited 
in the past by the geologic-topographic "noise" factors 
which can easily overwhelm all but the most intense anomalies. 
A theoretical analysis suggests that both thermal and reflec- 
tance image data should be acquired at least three times in 
the ‘diurnal cycle. A Timited application of the model to 
data acquired at an optimum time illustrated the presence of 
a weak thermal anomaly which was confirmed by ground measure- 
ments. Tt is still premature, however, to estimate a minimum 
detectable flux using this technique." 
One particular area of satellite remote- 
high-resolution satellite thermography, shows considerable promise 
in the scientific disciplines of geology, hydrology, soil science, and 
oceanography. The most advanced spacecraft whose data are generally 
available is the NOAA series of satellites. A very high-resolution 
thermal infrared and visible sensor, called a VHRR, can acquire 
imagery of the same area on a 12-hour cycle (one day, one night image) 
at a ground resolution of about 900 m (abour 0.5 nautical miles) with 
a temperature sensitivity of 0.5?C to 1°C. Initial research by NOAA 
National Environmental Satellite Service has shown this imagery to 
have high value in snow and sea ice mapping and in hydrologic studies 
of the Great Lakes. 
sensing technology, 
Plans call for a thermal Sensor, one band in the MSS on Landsat-C, 
which will have a three-fold improvement in spatial resolution over the 
NOAA data (about 300 m) and about the same temperature sensitivity. 
This high-resolution thermography of the Earth's surface is expected to 
markedly increase our knowledge of the dynamic surface thermal 
Properties of our planet, and to be of great significance to the 
geological, hydrological, oceanographic, and meteorological sciences. 
  
   
to b 
Expl 
limi 
reso 
Capa 
sate 
the 
sate 
the : 
scie 
know 
adva 
Sate 
cove 
Imag 
high 
ing 
howe 
expe 
not . 
due 
Stat 
have 
tion 
radi 
many 
for 
dist 
Moon 
dete 
stat 
thei 
mois