16 February 1998 -- GOES-8 Visible and 3.9 Micron IR Comparison

This 2-image Java applet may take a minute or so to load...

Hold any mouse button down as you move the cursor over the smoke plumes on the large visible image. The corresponding 3.9 micron shortwave IR image (inset) shows dark "hot spots" that are associated with the source regions of many of the fires which are burning across Mexico. Note, however, that not all hot spots have a corresponding smoke plume (some biomass material produces less smoke when burned), and not all smoke plumes have a corresponding hot spot (some fires that are "smoldering" are not hot enough to saturate the shortwave IR sensor).

Java(tm) applet developed by Tom Whittaker (SSEC / CIMSS)

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