What is the primary purpose of using infrared sensors in remote sensing?

The primary purpose of using infrared sensors in remote sensing is to measure temperature variations. Infrared sensors are specifically designed to detect thermal radiation emitted by objects, which allows them to gauge the heat levels of various surfaces and materials from a distance. This capability is vital in many applications, such as meteorology, agriculture, and environmental monitoring, where understanding temperature changes can inform about weather patterns, vegetation health, or even the presence of wildfires.

Other choices, while potentially relevant in certain contexts, do not capture the main functionality of infrared sensors as effectively as measuring temperature variations. For example, detecting visible light isn’t what infrared sensors are primarily designed for; they operate outside the visible spectrum. Similarly, while tracking movement can be done with various sensors, infrared sensors are more about temperature detection than real-time motion tracking. Lastly, assessing soil moisture often requires a different set of sensors that focus on specific reflective properties of water rather than solely on thermal characteristics.