An agricultural sprayer (162, 500, 510, 900) is disclosed. The agricultural sprayer (162, 500, 510, 900) comprising: at least one nozzle (176, 210, 215, 240, 310, 360, 410, 412, 414, 610, 802, 904, 926) configured to receive a liquid and direct atomized liquid to an agricultural field (180, 922) in a dispersal area； a thermal imager (906) operably coupled to the agricultural sprayer (162, 500, 510, 900) and having a field of view (910) behind the agricultural sprayer (162, 500, 510, 900), the thermal imager (906) being configured to provide an indication of a thermal reaction of the agricultural field (180, 922) in response to application of the atomized liquid； and wherein an output of the thermal imager (906) is used to characterize operation of the at least one nozzle (176, 210, 215, 240, 310, 360, 410, 412, 414, 610, 802, 904, 926). Furthermore, a method of operating an agricultural sprayer (162, 500, 510, 900) is disclosed.
