McIDAS-X User's Guide
Version 2024.1

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Appendix D

Bands for Satellite Imagery

The bands for satellite data, which are sometimes called channels, are described in this appendix. The satellites included in the appendix are generally the ones that are available via ADDE from SSEC Satellite Data Services in real time or archive.

The band numbers in the Band columns in this appendix are numbers that are assigned to each channel output from a specific satellite instrument. We attempt to keep the same numbering scheme in McIDAS, but it is not always possible. Satellites having more than one instrument may have a separate assignment table for each instrument. The information in the other columns (Central Wavelength, Primary Uses, etc.) are from official publications and websites devoted to the satellites. Unless more precision is needed, the central wavelengths listed in this appendix are typically to one decimal place (tenths) for wavelength values of 1 or more, and to two decimal places (hundredths) for wavelength values less than 1.

Resolution refers to the maximum resolution of the instrument, which is not always the same as the resolution of the stored data in the area. Definitions for the Terms and Acronyms are located at the back of this appendix.

Operational status and future launch dates are current as of this manual's Revised date. However, they sometimes change so for the most current information you should check online resources such as the websites of launch or maintenance agencies (e.g., http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/status.html and http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/POES/status.html) and other sources like WMO pages https://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/satellites and https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellitestatuses/status.

Appendix directory

The following satellite data sources are described:

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