How is thermal imaging and night vision different?
Night vision or Image Intensified devices require some light, starlight or moon light, to effectively function. A night vision device acquires what little light is available from the moon or stars and amplifies that light to allow the user to see at night. If there is no light available then the night vision device will not work. Only a thermal imager can see in absolute darkness. Night vision devices are affected by weather related obscurants such as snow, rain, blowing sand and fog as well as smoke. Under these types of conditions, night vision devices are unable to perform. Thermal imagers can perform exceptionally well in adverse weather conditions due to the fact they do not rely on light but rather emitted energy. The infrared wavelength can penetrate smoke, rain, snow, blowing sand and most foggy conditions.
