Devices and methods for generating infrared (IR) images with improved quality are disclosed. In embodiments of the invention, temporal averaging techniques are used to reduce temporal noise that may be present in thermal images. This is especially useful in low-contrast thermal scenes, where a relatively small amount of thermal noise may become exceedingly prevalent. In order to average properly, some embodiments of the invention provide methods or means for aligning multiple images that are to be averaged together to eliminate inaccuracies and misrepresentations that may result from averaging misaligned images.