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The GOES Sounder is a 19-channel discrete-filter radiometer covering the spectral range from the visible channel wavelengths to 15 microns. It is designed to provide data from which atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, surface and cloud-top temperatures, and ozone distribution can be deduced by mathematical analysis. It operates independently of and simultaneously with the Imager, using a similarly flexible scan system. The Sounder's multi-element detector array assemblies simultaneously sample four separate fields or atmospheric columns. A rotating filter wheel, which brings spectral filters into the optical path of the detector array, provides the infrared channel definition.
Products, Resolution, and Accuracy
| |
Resolution (km) |
Accuracy |
|
Product |
Vertical |
Horizontal |
Absolute |
Relative |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Temperature |
|
|
|
|
|
Profile |
3-5 |
50 |
2-3 K |
1 K |
|
Land |
--- |
10 |
2 K |
1 K |
|
Sea |
--- |
10 |
1 K |
0.5 K |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moisture |
|
|
|
|
|
Profile |
2-4 |
50 |
30% |
20% |
|
Total |
--- |
10 |
20% |
10% |
|
Motion |
3 layers |
50 |
6 m/sec |
3 m/sec |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cloud |
|
|
|
|
|
Height |
2 layers |
10 |
50 mb |
25 mb |
|
Amount |
total |
10 |
15% |
5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ozone* |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
--- |
50 |
30% |
15% |
|
Motion |
1 layer |
50 |
10 m/sec |
5 m/sec |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
IR Flux* |
total |
50 |
10 W/m^2 |
3 W/m^2 |
KEY: * = potential future product 
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