Can thermal cameras see through glass/windows?

No, thermal cameras cannot see through glass or windows. How do thermal cameras work? Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation, which is a type of invisible light that is emitted by all objects. Glass is transparent to infrared radiation, so a thermal camera will only see the temperature of the glass itself, not what is on the other side.

However, if the glass is very thin or if there is a large temperature difference between the two sides of the glass, then the thermal camera may be able to see some details of what is on the other side. For example, if you point a thermal camera at a window on a cold day, you may be able to see the heat coming from the inside of the house.

In general, though, thermal cameras cannot see through glass. They are best used for seeing objects that emit their own heat, such as people, animals, and cars.

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