Drone exam · Payloads, dangerous goods, and special operations

A shiny metal roof appears very cold in a thermal image beside a warmer brick wall. Can the operator immediately conclude the metal is actually colder?

Answer

No. Consider emissivity, reflected temperature, viewing angle, distance, weather, calibration, and the sensor's limitations before interpreting the apparent temperature.

Explanation

Thermal cameras measure radiation, and reflective surfaces can mislead a simple temperature reading.