Originally posted by wam
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One problem with this new alternative:
When I read the article I see they discovered a difference in absorbance of specific wavelengths for different kinds of soil.
The absorbance frequencies they are measuring are basically light, into the NIR range which our eyes are not capable of seeing.
In other words, when the surface of the ground absorbs a specific wavelength of light, it reflects a color which happens to be beyond our ability to see.
As an example, the red color which we can see on the photo below of the Australian soil is caused because the soil is absorbing a specific light frequency which is removed from the reflected light.
So we see seen it as red-tinted because the reflected light is weighted in the red frequency after the ground absorbs some higher frequencies than red.
This is exactly what they are talking about in their article, except for colors that are slightly out of our seeing range.
They are saying they discovered that they can see some new colors for surface soil and rocks that we can't see with our eyes alone, by using NIR camera gear.
So they are seeing these NIR colors which are invisible until they use a camera that can see into the NIR range.
Then they these NIR colors help identify certain rocks and soil material.
But the problem is what they are looking at surface colors of different rocks and soil on the ground.
Their discovery is that when there are specific rock formations at the surface, these rock formations will have different reflectance NIR colors.
And these colors of rock formations will tell what kind of rock formations are photographed so we can look for the rock outcrop types that are known to be associated with ore deposits.
They are talking about the color of the soil and rocks on the surface of the ground.
Not about a color that is caused by buried gold, or buried ores or metal things.
What they are saying they discovered is they can use special cameras to extend the range of colors they can see to help identify rock formations.
So when they look at the picture below, they see a few more colors than the simple red tint on the ground when certain kinds of rocks are present on the surface.
Then they know it is likely they might find the ores that are usually found in those kinds of rock formations if they see them in the picture.
Somehow this does not seem to be related to finding buried treasure.
It seems more useful for mining exploration.
Best wishes, J_P


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