Published By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
The GOES Imager is a five-channel (one visible, four infrared) imaging radiometer designed to sense radiant and solar reflected energy from sampled areas of the earth. GVAR is the data transmission format used to broadcast environmental data measured by the independent GOES Imager and Sounder instruments, beginning with GOES-8 launched in 1994. Data distribution formats available are raw, AREA, NetCDF, GIF, and JPEG. Purpose: To monitor the atmosphere for severe weather development such as tornadoes, flash floods, hailstorms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop, the GOES satellites can track storms on a minute-to-minute basis.