Earth Unplugged: Winter Watch at Mar Lodge

Location

• Mar Lodge, Kangorms, Eastern Highlands of Scotland

Equipment Used

• Selex Merlin
  • Military specification thermal imaging camera
  • Captures heat as it's lost from the body

Thermal Imaging Observations

• Heat Loss from Body:
  • When Wrapped Up:
    • Minimal heat loss
    • Heat lost mainly from face and hands
  • Removing Gloves:
    • Hands show up as red due to heat loss
  • Exposing Chest:
    • Rapid heat loss from previously insulated chest

Adaptations to Cold

• Animals:
  • Insulate bodies with feathers or fur
  • Minimize heat loss to survive cold conditions
• Humans:
  • Need warm clothing to prevent hypothermia
  • Hypothermia can be deadly in freezing conditions

Additional Thermal Imaging Insights

• Snowball:
  • Appears dark blue due to cold temperature
• Cool Skin Effect:
  • Pressing cold hand against chest cools skin (blue handmark)
• Snow Spots on Skin:
  • Caused by falling snow hitting and cooling the body

Conclusion

• Thermal imaging vividly displays the perils of cold conditions

Additional Resources

• Winter Watch:
  • Follow using #winterwatch on Twitter
  • Subscribe to Earth Unplugged for weekly videos

These notes summarize key points from the presentation on thermal imaging and cold adaptations at Mar Lodge in the Scottish Highlands.