Why 8–15 µm is considered "thermal infrared" if typical room temperature kT is 48 µm?
According to Wikipedia:
"Long-wavelength infrared (8–15 µm, 20–37 THz, 83–155 meV): The "thermal imaging" region, in which sensors can obtain a completely passive image of objects only slightly higher in temperature than room temperature - for example, the human body - based on thermal emissions only and requiring no illumination such as the sun, moon, or infrared illuminator. This region is also called the "thermal infrared"."
However, using , the temperature range 288–308 K (15–35 °C) is equivalent to 50–46.7 µm, while 8–15 µm is equivalent to 1800–960 K (using the same equation).