Imaging Through The Atmosphere Using SWIR Cameras

Shortwave infrared has been shown to image though the atmosphere better than visible. (SPIE reference) The longer wavelength of light enables better transmission and less scattering than visible light due to the size of water and dust particles in the air. In the example at the right one can image nearly as well with the 1.3Mpixel SWIR image versus the >5Mpixel image in the visible and this was a clear day. In hazy conditions the SWIR improves dramatically. Imagery was taken with the 1280SciCam SWIR camera using a 25mm f/1.4 Optec lens which mostly transmits from 900 to 1700 nm.