The
black and white image at right illustrates ATLAS 10m night time thermal
infrared data collected over Atlanta. ATLAS thermal infrared data were acquired
during the night starting at 2 am. In this night time image, urban surfaces
that are "hot" or "warm" appear in varying shades of
white to light gray. Notice how the roads and other asphalt and concrete
surfaces are still much warmer than the vegetation. However, the warmest
surfaces (white) are bodies of water. The high specific heat of water results
in the water bodies cooling very slowly.
Return to Hot 'Lanta
story.
Authors: Dale Quattrochi,
Jeff Luvall
Curator: Bryan Walls
NASA Official: John M. Horack
