Visible and Infrared Imagery Visible and Infrared Imagery Visible satellite images are similar to pictures a photographer might record in that they rely and display reflected light. As long as light is available, land features like mountains, river courses, lakes, silt run-off from rivers into the sea, and coastlines are clearly visible. Clouds appear white to us because they reflect light. Since visible imagery depends on available light, it can only be detected during the day. Infrared images display gradients of temperature differences.
Infrared sensors pick up data both day and night.
Clouds appear in varying shades of grey, depending on their temperature, which is determined by their height above Earth. Find out what both visible and infrared satellite images can tell you 1. Explain to students that wavelengths of light can be separated into visible and invisible ranges. Show them the range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Provide pairs of students with both visible and infrared images of the Atlantic coast.