I know I am kind of being obsessive on this subject, so forgive me. I started trying to figure out differences with FLIR, thermal imaging or just infrared imaging and night vision. I figured out that, at one level it is very simple. It rapidly becomes monstrously complex. I went for simple. I also included, mostly a repetition of my previous post, some thoughts on instruments we could use but added one that nobody had mentioned.
For a very long time I have been trying to get a handle on the difference between FLIR, Infrared, and Night Vision devices
NIGHT VISION: Night vision collects ambient light even if we are barely able to see it ourselves. It allows us to see in the dark, though it can be tricked by shadows and camouflage. For our purposes here, it is not the most useful tool unless we are looking for non-human biologic entities lurking around us. Though I have been told that by looking up at the sky with them you can see incredible, almost Star Wars like epic battles taking place. That actually seems to be a thing, so I am not being snarky, just a bit skeptical.
FLIR AND THERMAL IMAGING: Thermal imaging is the umbrella that FLIR and infrared imaging fall under.
In short, FLIR is merely one more thermal device. Its name seems to have become synonymous with thermal devices. Much like Xerox or Kleenex, have become both the brand and the item.
So, I will just talk about thermal imaging in general.
All objects absorb energy and reradiate it back into space. This is called black body radiation. We are all familiar with the visible light spectrum, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. (ROYGBIV). The infrared is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that falls just below the visible spectrum.
Thermal or infrared devices are passive, detecting the heat emitted from an object which can be seen if it is warmer than the surroundings. A running car in a snowstorm, easy. A snake, not so much as it takes on the temperature of its surroundings It reads the medium (3–5μm) and longer wavelengths. (8 to 12μm)
How would this relate to us?
If Secret of Skinwalker Ranch has taught us nothing else (and I am continually blown away by it) it is that UAPs seem to have a heat signature, even if they are not always visible to the naked eye. Simply put, that heat could make it stand out like a lighthouse on a lee shore. It could give an idea of the heat of the object. It would be most useful for detection.
OTHER DEVICES:
There are other devices which could be useful after detection.
SPECTROSCOPE: A spectroscope would probably be the next most useful.
Using prisms or Fresnel lenses, the light from a glowing object can be broken into its elements.
Every element has a signature in the visible light spectrum. It will show a pattern of lines that are unique to that element. A combination of elements will show a combination of colored lines. And it takes people a whole lot smarter than me to sort those into coherent results.
BUT! If someone used thermal imaging to catch a UAP, then observed it with a spectroscope the information could prove invaluable as the light emanating could reveal some of the workings of the UAP.
LIGHTFIELD CAMERA: Another device, though not well known, is a Lightfield Camera. Its lens is composed of thousands of smaller lenses. This myriad of lenses gathers ALL the information in the exposure so it can be processed by computer to show more images, more information that was ever available. You can zoom in or out, change focus, get rid of depth of field, whatever you want, and never have the negative effects of a regular camera
The only maker I am aware of that still exists is Lytro.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM DECTOR: Other devices would include an electromagnetic spectrum detector. The Skinwalker folks us a Trifield Meter, which is only two or three hundred dollars. Also, a Bug Detector can pick up radio signals. A compass could also.
AUDIO: A parabolic mic could be useful, especially if coupled with an infrasound detector. I have one of those as a free app on my smartphone.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS: A Geiger counter might have value and can be had for a very low price. A powerful flashlight beam could be useful for pointing out things. A laser pointer could also. Either action could trigger an alien invasion.
A few questions I have:
Would film or digital camera make a difference. Could one show something that the other could not.
Is there a spectroscope that could capture the light, separate it and give you the results, obviously using a computer or AI. Without spending a million dollars.
Who has found these items that are serviceable at reasonable prices. (I consider 500 dollars to be tops). Or maybe one real expensive thing in your quiver of tools.
