Photonics in nature: Yellowstone National Park in IR

Infrared thermal imaging is a valuable tool not only in science but also in optics and photonics education and outreach activities. Observing natural optical phenomena in a different spectral region like the thermal infrared often offers new insights. The commonly used false color images not only allow extraction of useful information about thermal properties of objects, but they can also provide aesthetic sights and are thus an excellent tool for public outreach activities. Recently we have pursued this kind of study using IR imaging within Yellowstone National Park, complementing earlier work on thermal pool colors and spectroscopy. We will discuss and compare images of a variety of VIS and IR cameras of hot springs, geysers, mud pools and other natural phenomena recorded in the park during 2012 and 2016.