Radiometric calibration of satellite-acquired data （visible

near-infrared and thermal infrared） is essential for quantitative scientific studies

as well as for a variety of quantitative appications. In the spectral region of thermal infrared

the effects of atmospheric water vapor and aerosols on the retrievalsof surface temperature are the two primary factors. From Landsat-5 TM6 image data acquired at Dunhuang site on September 25 1995

we made adjustments for atmospheric effects and derived the land surface temperatures using the spectrally corrected LOWTRAN-7 code. Using LOWTRAN-7 code

we also analyse the effects of atmospheric water vapor and aerosols on the retrieved surface temperatures by simulative calculations. Finally

we provided an explanation for what kinds of atmospheric conditions

even without considering the foreknown influence of the atmosphere

properly calibrated thermal infrared data can provide accurate remote temperature measumments

and determined under what meteorologic conditions

making corrections for atmospheirc effects is in need. This paper

at the end

also discussed the emissivity effects on the derived surface temperature.