Skip to main content
multispectral

multispectral

2 6.8
Using different types of light, cameras show details not seen in visible light
  • adjective
  • /ˌmʌltiˈspɛktrəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : multiespectral
  • Multispectral sensors aboard space satellites have provided Judd with images of the ever-changing expanse of blue-green algae.
  • multispectral imaging
  • multispectral camera
  • multispectral system

Examples

  • The scientists used multispectral imaging to analyze the health of crops from various wavelengths of light.

  • At the heart of these machine vision systems is a digital multispectral camera that can take photos at different wavelengths simultaneously and can even detect light invisible to the naked eye.

    Academic text (2008)
  • A multispectral system generally uses only 2 to 4 wavelengths.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Now, airborne multispectral videography enables them to measure the amount of ground cover on the island with 98 percent accuracy.

    Academic text (1999)
  • We can then choose a few optimal spectral bands that will get the job done with enough speed and accuracy when used in multispectral imaging systems.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Everitt and his colleagues have also been using multispectral digital imagery to characterize marshes near the mouth of the Rio Grande.

    Academic text (1999)
  • To survey the pine forest, the scientists used both color-infrared and conventional color aerial photography, as well as the three-camera, multispectral, digital video imaging system integrated with a GPS system.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Mounted vertically on the floor of the aircraft is a three-camera, multispectral video system that's operated by ARS remote-sensing specialist David E. Escobar.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Engineering technician Ted Bernard operates a high-clearance tractor with instruments on the boom to collect multispectral reflectance data for monitoring the nitrogen status of a corn crop.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Key studies of ground-cover change, such as those by del Valle and others (1998), rely on 80-meter Multispectral Scanner and 1-kilometer Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

polychromatic
vsmultispectral
  • Specialized
1 7.5

Having many different colors like a rainbow

is focused on scientific use across several wavelength bands rather than color appearance
heterochromatic
vsmultispectral
8.8

Showing many different colors

is used for imaging across separate wavelength bands
multiband
vsmultispectral
  • Specialized
5.8

Works on more than one band of radio signals

is about analyzing images across distinct light bands rather than devices

How Many Bands

HSI
  • Specialized
8.5
multispectral
  • Specialized
2 6.8
panchromatic
  • Specialized
8.4

Surface Forms

multispectral positive

Morphology

multispectral = spectral (semi-transparent) = multi + spectr + al

The word is built regularly from multi- plus spectral, but the technical imaging sense is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

Multispectral combines multi- meaning 'many' with the same root as spectrum, which means a 'range of light' or 'colors'. So multispectral describes cameras or scans that use many different types of light to show details the eye cannot see.