Glossary for Geospatial Science

CIR image:  Color-infrared image.  Color-infrared images may be collected by an electronic scanner or a camera that uses special film with sensitivity from green through infrared.  The photographic infrared radiation just beyond the range of human vision is then displayed as red.  Normal red from the scene becomes green, and green becomes blue.  Normal blue in the scene is filtered out and not recorded.  CIR images are used to show the vigor of plant life.  Healthy vegetation appears red, while distressed or damaged vegetation may look pink, tan, or yellow.  (See also: color-infrared image)