radiometers
Light intensity gauges
Radiometers are instruments that measure radiant energy—electromagnetic radiation such as light, infrared, or radio waves.
Different types serve different purposes: some measure solar radiation for climate research, others detect thermal emissions for temperature measurement.
The term covers a broad family of devices used in astronomy, meteorology, and remote sensing: The satellite's radiometers mapped sea surface temperatures.
Light-to-electricity conversion device
- thermopileSeries-connected temperature-sensing junctions
- photodiodeLight-to-current semiconductor
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
Involving electric and magnetic fields
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- visible lightRadiation the eye detects
longwave · shortwave · broadband · narrowband · wavelength · frequency · photons · radiant energy
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- irradianceIncident power per area
sensitivity · signal-to-noise · dynamic range · linearity · drift · uncertainty · traceability
Gathering data without contact
- satellite imagingPhotography from orbiting spacecraft
- climate monitoringTracking atmospheric conditions over time
- weather forecastingPredicting future atmospheric conditions
- soil moistureWater in ground
photodetector
Light-to-electricity conversion device
- thermopileSeries-connected temperature-sensing junctions
- photodiodeLight-to-current semiconductor
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
receiver · amplifier · chopper · aperture · baffle · housing
thermopile
Series-connected temperature-sensing junctions
electromagnetic
Involving electric and magnetic fields
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
visible light · longwave · shortwave · broadband · narrowband · wavelength · frequency · photons · radiant energy
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
irradiance · sensitivity · signal-to-noise · dynamic range · linearity · drift · uncertainty · traceability
insolation
Solar radiation received
- UV indexSolar intensity measurement
remote sensing
Gathering data without contact
- satellite imagingPhotography from orbiting spacecraft
- climate monitoringTracking atmospheric conditions over time
- weather forecastingPredicting future atmospheric conditions
radiometerstransmitters
Devices that send signals
emitters · radio transmitters · light sources · radiators · heat lamps
radiometersthermometers
Heat-measuring instruments
barometers · seismometers · anemometers · hygrometers · magnetometers