Next-Generation Thermal Infrared Observations for Urban and Environmental Monitoring

Thermal Infrared (TIR) remote sensing is undergoing rapid advancements, owing to the forthcoming LSTM and TRISHNA missions. The high spatial resolution offered by these satellites offered by these satellites offers unprecedented opportunities to monitor and study Earth system processes. By enabling the retrieval of key surface parameters, particularly Land Surface Temperature (LST) and surface emissivity, TIR data plays a crucial role in quantifying energy and water fluxes across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. These variables support a wide array of scientific investigations and operational applications.

Applications of thermal remote sensing include the characterisation of urban thermal environment and climate resilience, vegetation health monitoring, agricultural stress assessment, wildfire detection and monitoring, surface energy balance estimation in diverse environments, detection of thermal anomalies like volcanic eruptions, and industrial emissions, in addition to geological and geothermal mapping, and more. However, these opportunities also bring challenges that require concurrent advancements in algorithm development, sensor calibration, mission planning, and the establishment of robust validation
frameworks.

This special session, organised in support of the EARSeL Special Interest Group on Thermal Remote Sensing, seeks to foster international collaboration and highlight cutting-edge research in the field. We welcome contributions that explore

• advanced retrieval algorithms for LST and emissivity,
• innovations in TIR sensor design and calibration,
• field campaigns and preparatory studies for upcoming satellite missions,
• integration of optical and TIR data for enhanced surface and atmospheric analysis,
• various applications across the field,
• multi-sensor data fusion, synergistic approaches involving TIR observations,
• calibration and validation methodologies,
• contributions to climate science and long-term environmental monitoring.

Researchers, mission planners, and practitioners are invited to share new findings, methodologies, and visions that advance thermal remote sensing science and expand its growing range of applications.