Predominantly Infrared Objects

An object may radiate predominantly in the infrared for several reasons. It is in fact these reasons that make infrared astronomy essential for a complete understanding of an object s physics. 

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Infrared spectroscopy is predominantly performed in the Fourier-transform mode and then commonly abbreviated as FTIR. The great advantage of FTIR spectroscopy is the great number of measurement options (and accessories), that allow spectra to be taken conveniently from just about any kind of sample. Polymeric powders can be characterized by pressing them into the conventional KBr pellets, but also, without any sample preparation, by diffuse reflectance (DRIFT). Very thin films of polymers can be measured in the conventional transmission mode, but any kind of film (thick or thin), as well as large polymeric objects, can be measured by ATR. ATR probes can also be used to characterize solutions... 

There are some objects that radiate predominantly by infrared light and in fact are not detectable at the shorter optical wavelengths. Historically, infrared astronomy has concentrated on these types of objects, but recently near and midinfrared observations are increasingly studying objects that traditionally have been the study of optical astronomy. 

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