NOAA Releases First Image from GOES-18 Weather Satellite
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the first images from the GOES-18 weather satellite. The images were taken on May 5th and show the capabilities of the GOES Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) 16 channels.
This GOES-18 image shows the US observed by GOES-18’s ABI’s 16 channels on May 5, 2022. Credit: NESDIS/NOAA
The first four are visible and near-infrared, and the next ten are infrared. Data from the ABI is used for a variety of applications from severe weather warnings and short-term forecasts to wildfire and volcano monitoring and turbulence detection. Images can also be combined to highlight areas of interest.
GOES-18 launch from Kennedy Space Center. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
GOES-18 was launched on March 1st as a replacement for the ailing GOES West satellite. The GOES satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 22,236 miles above the equator. From this vantage point, the satellites can monitor the same area and track weather systems as they happen.
NOAA reports that so far, the GOES-18 satellite is healthy and is still undergoing post launch testing and calibration of instruments. The cooling system in the ABI unit is performing well, and no signs of the issue that affected the GOES West ABI have shown up. The cooling system was redesigned for GOES-18.
Artistic rendering of GOES-18 in orbit. Credit: NASA/NOAA
In late summer of this year, GOES-18 will assist in GOES West operations, and again in early fall. If all goes well, by early 2023 NOAA will make GOES-18 the new GOES West. GOES-17 will then be placed into on-orbit storage.
Filed under:
Mission Update, News, Space Weather
Tags:
GOES18, NOAA, weather satellite
Meet The Blogger
Sophie Sanchez
I’ve turned a lifetime fascination for space exploration and astronomy into a career writing, speaking, and creating STEM programming about all things space. Until I get the chance to experience space for myself I’ll share the stories of every mission of a lifetime I have the opportunity to witness.
Subscribe by Email
Completely spam free, opt out any time.
About ChicagoNow
•
FAQs
•
Advertise
•
Recent posts RSS
•
Privacy policy (Updated)
•
Comment policy
•
Terms of service
•
Chicago Tribune Archives
•
Do not sell my personal info
©2022 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team