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Anupma Prakash 
Details on how thermal data is processed and used in these various applications is beyond the scope of this article. 
Numerous references can be found in literature for the use of thermal data for most of these applications. A modest 
collection of these reference sources is also available at http://www.itc.nl/-prakash/research/thermal ref.html 
5 CONCLUSIONS 
From the issues addressed in section 3 of this article, some limitations of thermal remote sensing are clear. On the other 
hand, from the variety of possible applications highlighted in section 4, the advantages and potentials of thermal remote 
sensing are also obvious. One more fact that is now clear is that new satellite and airborne platforms with new and 
improved thermal sensors also promise to bring more interest and challenge in this relatively less explored field. 
Therefore, now there is a definite need to promote the understanding and the use of thermal data by the scientific and 
application community. These developments should encompass among other things 
e fundamental research in the principles of thermal remote sensing 
e laboratory measurements of spectral response of natural materials in the thermal infrared region 
e development of more sophisticated sensor technology 
finally to application oriented research where the already explored application fields can be refined and new 
application areas can be tapped. 
One of the most promising way to ensure that such a goal is achieved in by introducing the topic of thermal remote 
sensing in greater depth in the remote sensing educational programmes. The 'spin off ' effect of such a venture would be 
that more and more researchers with fresh ideas would explore the thermal data and its possibilities. 
REFERENCES 
Gupta R.P., 1991. Remote Sensing Geology (Berlin-Heidelberg:Springer-Verlag). 
Kahle A.B., 1980. Surface thermal properties. In Remote Sensing in Geology, edited by B.S. Siegal, and A.R. Gillespie 
(New York; John Wiley), pp.257-273 
Markham, B.L., Barker J.L., 1986. Landsat MSS and TM post calibration dynamic ranges, exoatmospheric reflectances 
and at-satellite temperatures. EOSAT Landsat Technical Notes 1, August 1986, Earth Observation Satellite Co. 
(Lanham, Maryland), pp. 3-8. 
Prakash A., Gens R., Vekerdy Z., 1999. Monitoring coal fires using multi-temporal night-time thermal images in a 
coalfield in North-west China. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 20(14), pp. 2883-2888. 
Prakash A., Gupta, R.P., 1998. Land-use mapping and change detection in a coal mining area - a case study of the 
Jharia Coalfield, India. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 19(3), pp. 391-410. 
Prakash A., References on thermal remote sensing. http://www itc.nl/~prakash/research/thermal_ref.html 
Sabins F.F. Jr, 1996. Remote Sensing: Principles and Interpretation, 3rd edn. (New York: W.H. Freeman). 
  
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part Bl. Amsterdam 2000. 243