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Wide-Field-of-View Longwave Camera for the Characterization of the Earth's Outgoing Longwave Radiation
Luca Schifano1,2, Lien Smeesters1,3, Francis Berghmans1,3
1Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT), Applied Physics and Photonics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
Summary
A new wide-field-of-view thermal camera precisely measures Earth's Outgoing Longwave Radiation for climate monitoring. This cost-effective, space-optimized camera achieves high resolution and accuracy, crucial for understanding climate change. Keywords: thermal camera, Outgoing Longwave Radiation, climate monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Earth Science
- Climate Science
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate measurement of Earth's Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) is vital for climate change monitoring.
- Existing commercial cameras lack the required wide field of view and spectral range for comprehensive OLR measurement.
- Space-based observation necessitates compact, high-performance imaging systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present a novel, cost-effective, wide-field-of-view thermal camera for space applications.
- To enable precise measurement of Earth's OLR for improved climate change monitoring.
- To achieve high spatial resolution and near-diffraction-limited image quality.
Main Methods:
- Designed a compact camera with a 140° field of view using three germanium lenses.
- Optimized the lens design with a single aspherical surface for cost-effectiveness and performance.
- Conducted radiative transfer simulations to evaluate camera performance for OLR estimation.
Main Results:
- The camera achieves a 140° field of view, imaging Earth from limb to limb.
- High spatial resolution of 4.455 km at nadir is attained.
- Simulations show the camera enables OLR estimation with a 4.8% random relative error.
Conclusions:
- The novel thermal camera design is suitable for space applications and OLR measurement.
- The cost-effective design offers excellent image quality and performance.
- This technology significantly advances capabilities for climate change monitoring.
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