When I look at an object in the sunlight, I'm looking at photons reflected back from the object. But if I wear infrared goggles and look at an object in the dark, am I looking at photons that are emitted by the object itself, rather than reflected? This is explained briefly in Tales of the Quantum. As I understand, the warmer the object is, the more the atoms vibrate. Atoms are made of +protons and -electrons. These charged particle vibrations create waves in the electromagnetic field which are photons of IR light.
Edit: From Wikipedia on Thermography: "All objects above the absolute zero temperature emit infrared radiation. Hence, an excellent way to measure thermal variations is to use an infrared vision device..." So it specifically says "emit infrared radiation" Is this emitted from the vibration of charged protons and electrons? And would increased vibration of these particles, caused by increased heat, thereby increase the IR emissions?