Abstract: A multispectral passive sensor may be used to measure the temperature of an object provided that the light emitted is described by a black (gray) body distribution, and atmospheric attenuation coefficients between receiver and target are known. With additional time evolution passive measurements, it is possible to estimate target temperature even when attenuation coefficients are not known. In this paper we establish limits on the accuracy of temperature estimation using selected statistical models and LOWTRAN VII generated atmospheric scenarios. The results presented and the methodology developed are of fundamental importance in determination of the limits of infrared sensing. The framework presented has applications in multispectral scene analysis, thermographic mapping, and remote sensing.!6
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