How can the radiation of gases be detected?

[Robin04]

I'm curious about that do gases emit infrared radiation the same way as solid bodies do? If yes, how can it be detected like an infrared camera does?

 

[Bystander]

do gases emit infrared radiation

Yes. How to detect it and distinguish it from other sources? Tough to do since emissivities are quite low at normal T and P, or density.

 

[Robin04]

Thank you very much. And is there another way to distinguish warmer parts of a gas?

 

[Bystander]

You've said IR already, so I presume you're interested in sensing temperature remotely, rather than measuring it directly with conventional temperature sensors. How much control do you have over your sample space? Pressure?

 

[mfb]

Temperature differences can be detected via the density-dependent (and therefore temperature-dependent) refractive index. Schlieren photography does that, for example.

It would help to know more about the application you are looking for.

 

[Robin04]

I would like to locate thermals (relatively warm, rising air) in my vicinity.

 

[Bystander]

Look for hawks, eagles, pelicans. Refractive index: If you can find a landmark (or set of landmarks), and have some fixed pairs of points to sight over for directions of the landmarks, you can see them move up or down, left or right from day to day, or even hour to hour.