Dust as Seen in the Visible and IR Window Channels (Page 2 of 8)
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There are two main regions of blowing dust on the IR window image. The source region is just along the Iran/Afghanistan border. Once it is scoured from the surface, the dust cools as it is lifted aloft. Thus, the dusty air appears relatively cool in contrast to the hot daytime land surface. Once the dust passes over the relatively cooler open water, however, the temperature contrast between the water and dust lessens, and the IR window is less helpful in detecting dust.
Looking at the visible image, you will see an area of blowing dust over the Gulf of Oman. Dust reflects more sunlight than the dark surface of the water below making it easy to see. Over land, however, the dust plume and underlying surface look similar to each other, making it hard to detect the dust.
Since visible and infrared window images are both useful to detect dust, one should not rely on just one; one should look at both.
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