Addressing environmental and atmospheric challenges for capturing high-precision thermal infrared data in the field of astro-ecology

Claire Burke; Maisie F. Rashman; Owen McAree; Leonard Hambrecht; Steve N. Longmore; Alex K. Piel; Serge A. Wich

doi:10.1117/12.2311673

10 July 2018 Addressing environmental and atmospheric challenges for capturing high-precision thermal infrared data in the field of astro-ecology

Claire Burke, Maisie F. Rashman, Owen McAree, Leonard Hambrecht, Steve N. Longmore, Alex K. Piel, Serge A. Wich

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10709, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VIII; 107091O (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2311673
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

Using thermal infrared detectors mounted on drones, and applying techniques from astrophysics, we hope to support the field of conservation ecology by creating an automated pipeline for the detection and identification of certain endangered species and poachers from thermal infrared data. We test part of our system by attempting to detect simulated poachers in the field. Whilst we find that we can detect humans hiding in the field in some types of terrain, we also find several environmental factors that prevent accurate detection, such as ambient heat from the ground, absorption of infrared emission by the atmosphere, obscuring vegetation and spurious sources from the terrain. We discuss the effect of these issues, and potential solutions which will be required for our future vision for a fully automated drone-based global conservation monitoring system.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Claire Burke, Maisie F. Rashman, Owen McAree, Leonard Hambrecht, Steve N. Longmore, Alex K. Piel, and Serge A. Wich "Addressing environmental and atmospheric challenges for capturing high-precision thermal infrared data in the field of astro-ecology", Proc. SPIE 10709, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VIII, 107091O (10 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2311673

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available