Erik P. Kraft reports the copter hovering over Harvard Square today was hired by the university to take infrared images of 46 of its buildings. Why would they do that? To find roof leaks, he says.
On one hand, there is warmth reflected back from the buildings as they get warmed by the sun. They may have a way to adjust for that in the thermal images, and the sun is not very strong this time of year (lower angle).
On the other hand, the buildings are heated up the most during the day when occupied and in use (doors opening, closing) and the heat is dialed back at night. Harvard did this when I worked there so I wouldn't expect this to have changed since. It was also a fairly chilly day today, so the heat loss to the ambient environment would be enough to be visible on the thermal cameras.
There is also the issue of flying at night as opposed to during daylight.
On one hand, there is warmth reflected back from the buildings as they get warmed by the sun. They may have a way to adjust for that in the thermal images, and the sun is not very strong this time of year (lower angle).
Solar radiation is in the visible spectrum, not the infrared. So any reflected solar radiation will not appear on an IR image.
LEDs and tinfoil and computer fans = low energy, low IR grow spaces. Like using less than an old-style incandescent 100 watt lightbulb per plant and much cooler than your average cube fridge.
Unless there are students who are turning entire suites into grow spaces, IR looky-lous are unlikely to be the most effective way to find dorm-based growers. Much easier to just lean on the RAs.
Harvard said that the helicopters would be doing it twice - once during the day and once at night. I assume the contrast between the two views can be useful.
That fire engine red whirly birdy thing has been prowling for an hour at a time repeatedly for the past 2 days, and it's loud. Of course, Harvard scheduled this to meet its needs, but screw the neighbors who live around it.
Thanks for doing the detective work. Adam's Twitter skillz are awesome.
at 2 AM? Although it seems to me that the mission (infrared checks for roof leaks) could have been just as easily handled with a drone, which would be less obtrusive and make less noise.
Many require liquid nitrogen in a tank and a vacuum chamber to cool the detector so that it isn't swamped by its own thermal emissions. The smallest one I've worked with is 40 lbs filled up. Some newer ones are under 20lbs but not quite ready for prime time.
Any 'drone' that could haul it would make about as much perceived noise as a helicopter.
The Huey was always a welcome sight for troops in the jungles of Vietnam.
This Veterans Day, it will be a welcome home sight for Vietnam veterans being recognized half a century after their service in the war.
The town will celebrate the service of approximately 180 Vietnam veterans on Veterans Day this year with special ceremonies at Memorial Hall. An award-winning replica of a Huey will greet them on the way into the celebration. http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/news/20161019/vete...
Comments
Isn't that best done at night?
By Roman
Sat, 11/12/2016 - 10:20pm
You know...when everything else has cooled down.
Maybe, maybe not
By SwirlyGrrl
Sat, 11/12/2016 - 10:26pm
On one hand, there is warmth reflected back from the buildings as they get warmed by the sun. They may have a way to adjust for that in the thermal images, and the sun is not very strong this time of year (lower angle).
On the other hand, the buildings are heated up the most during the day when occupied and in use (doors opening, closing) and the heat is dialed back at night. Harvard did this when I worked there so I wouldn't expect this to have changed since. It was also a fairly chilly day today, so the heat loss to the ambient environment would be enough to be visible on the thermal cameras.
There is also the issue of flying at night as opposed to during daylight.
Reflected sunlight is immaterial
By aldos
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 10:11am
Solar radiation is in the visible spectrum, not the infrared. So any reflected solar radiation will not appear on an IR image.
Not exactly
By SwirlyGrrl
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 10:29am
There is the heat island effect where surfaces absorb and reemit heat. I was trying not to get too complicated about it.
Not really
By Bob Leponge
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 8:02pm
There's loads of IR in solar radiation
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4...
[img] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solar_Spec... [/img]
(I am unclear why this shows as a broken link; the image is there)
Who is growing pot?
By JimGaffigan
Sat, 11/12/2016 - 11:25pm
Those heat lamps will show up.
Not 1970 anymore, ya sweet old farts
By anon
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 7:44pm
LEDs and tinfoil and computer fans = low energy, low IR grow spaces. Like using less than an old-style incandescent 100 watt lightbulb per plant and much cooler than your average cube fridge.
Unless there are students who are turning entire suites into grow spaces, IR looky-lous are unlikely to be the most effective way to find dorm-based growers. Much easier to just lean on the RAs.
Being done during day and at night
By mg
Sat, 11/12/2016 - 11:54pm
Harvard said that the helicopters would be doing it twice - once during the day and once at night. I assume the contrast between the two views can be useful.
Harvard isn't a nice neighbor
By lobster nanny
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 9:35am
That fire engine red whirly birdy thing has been prowling for an hour at a time repeatedly for the past 2 days, and it's loud. Of course, Harvard scheduled this to meet its needs, but screw the neighbors who live around it.
Thanks for doing the detective work. Adam's Twitter skillz are awesome.
Would you rather they flew around
By roadman
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 1:21pm
at 2 AM? Although it seems to me that the mission (infrared checks for roof leaks) could have been just as easily handled with a drone, which would be less obtrusive and make less noise.
IR cameras are heavy
By Roman
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 2:03pm
Many require liquid nitrogen in a tank and a vacuum chamber to cool the detector so that it isn't swamped by its own thermal emissions. The smallest one I've worked with is 40 lbs filled up. Some newer ones are under 20lbs but not quite ready for prime time.
Any 'drone' that could haul it would make about as much perceived noise as a helicopter.
At Plymouth Ma ,
By anon
Sun, 11/13/2016 - 10:39am
At Plymouth Ma ,
VETERANS DAY 2016: Iconic copter will help give Vietnam vets long overdue welcome home
A replica Huey helicopter will help give local Vietnam veterans a long overdue welcome home half a century after their service in the war.
By Rich Harbert
[email protected]
The Huey was always a welcome sight for troops in the jungles of Vietnam.
This Veterans Day, it will be a welcome home sight for Vietnam veterans being recognized half a century after their service in the war.
The town will celebrate the service of approximately 180 Vietnam veterans on Veterans Day this year with special ceremonies at Memorial Hall. An award-winning replica of a Huey will greet them on the way into the celebration.
http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/news/20161019/vete...
Picture in article
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