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GOES-15 Visible Images  |  GOES-15 IR Images


GOES-15 First Images Transmitted

GOES-15 First Image

From approximately 22,236 miles in space, NOAA's newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - GOES-15 - took its first full visible image of the Earth on April 6, 2010 at 1:33 p.m. EDT.

6 April 2010 - GOES-P was launched by NASA on 4 March 2010 and has successfully reached geostationary orbit to become GOES-15, the latest in the long line of GOES which started with the SMS/GOES program in the mid-1970s. GOES-15 is the last in the current GOES series, to be followed by the next generation GOES-R in late 2015.

The first full-disk visible image from GOES-15, captured on On 6 April 2010 at 1730 UTC, is shown. The Sounder also acquired visible images. This will be followed by the first infrared (IR) images in late April. Testing of the spacecraft and its instruments will continue through the entire Post Launch Test (PLT) period. The last part of that PLT period will be the NOAA Science Test, during which the satellite instrumentation will be controlled to provide special data. The Science Test is currently scheduled for the summer of 2010. Operational scenarios and special imagery will be collected, to test both Imager and Sounder characteristics and the generation of products from the GOES-15 data stream.

STAR is leading the GOES-15 Science Test. Participants include scientists both inside and outside of NOAA. The results of the Science Test will be available on the GOES-15 Science Test pagethis link opens in a new window, and when finished, a NOAA Technical Report with Science Test findings will be published. Any scientists not already participating but interested in the Science Test data should contact either Don Hillger (STAR/RAMMB) or Tim Schmit (STAR/ASPB).

The GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) series of U.S. satellites are developed by a joint NASA-NOAA-Industry partnership, launched by NASA (with industry partners), and operated by NOAA.

GOES-15 Improvements

In general, GOES-13/14/15 are in the same 'class' (previously called GOES- N/O/P), but they are improved over the current operational GOES (11/12) series. In particular, changes implemented with GOES-14 and GOES-15 compared to previous GOES Imagers includes the following:

  • The spatial resolution of the 13.3 µm band (band-6) was improved from 8km to 4km, by incorporating two detectors instead of just one. (That change in the 13.3 µm band (band-6) necessitated a change in the GVAR (GOES VARiable) data format, by including another block for data from the additional detector.)
  • Ability to operate the instruments during the eclipse (sun behind the earth) periods and Keep-Out-Zone (sun possibly within instrument view) periods by utilizing batteries and partial-image frames.
  • In general, Imager and Sounder data from GOES-13/14/15 are improved considerably in quality (noise level) compared to that from GOES-8 through GOES-12. This was possible due to colder patch (detector) temperatures with the new spacecraft design.
  • In addition, the image navigation and registration with GOES-13/14/15 data is much improved, especially in comparison to GOES-8 through GOES-12.

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First GOES-15 Infrared Images Transmitted

Comparison of GOES-15 to GOES-13 image resolution, Channel 6, CO2 band

Image Compares GOES-15 to GOES-13 in Channel 6, CO2 band

26 April 2010 - The first official full-disk infrared images from GOES-15 were sent down in GVAR format at 1730 and 1800 UTC today. See the GOES-15 Science Test pagethis link opens in a new window for images captured at both CIRA and CIMSS. The main part of the GOES-15 Science Test will commence on 7 August 2010. STAR scientists are key participants on the GOES-15 as well as on the GOES-14 science test teams.

The image at right provides a side-by-side comparison of the resolution gain on the GOES-15 instrument over GOES-13. The spatial resolution of the 13.3 µm band (band-6) was improved from 8km to 4km, by incorporating two detectors instead of just one, producing a visibly smoother image resolution.

 
GOES-15 Image, April 26, 2010, 17:30 UTC

GOES-15 Image, April 26, 2010, 17:30 UTC

GOES-13 Image, April 26, 2010, 17:45 UTC

GOES-13 Image, April 26, 2010, 17:45 UTC

 

Shown from each satellite: Channel 1 at 0.6µm; Channel 2 at 3.9µm; Channel 3 at 6.5µm; Channel 4 at 10.7µm; Channel 6 at 13.3µm

Click on the images below to see the full size image.

First GOES-15 Full Disk IR Image, 26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 0.63 µm - visible

First GOES-15 Full Disk Infrared Image,
26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 0.63 µm - visible

First GOES-15 Full Disk IR Image, 17 April 2010, 1732 UTC; 13.3 µm - CO2

First GOES-15 Full Disk Infrared Image,
17 April 2010, 1732 UTC; 13.3 µm - CO2

 
First GOES-15 Full Disk IR Image, 26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 6.5 µm - water vapor

First GOES-15 Full Disk Infrared Image,
26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 6.5 µm - water vapor

First GOES-15 Full Disk IR Image, 26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 3.9 µm - shortwave window

First GOES-15 Full Disk Infrared Image,
26 April 2010, 1730 UTC; 3.9 µm - shortwave window