Spectral Channels

Chart showing the 16 ABI spectral bands and their uses

The imagers on board Suomi NPP, the upcoming GOES-R, and the future JPSS polar-orbiting satellites, have many more spectral channels than their predecessors. This will enable the development of improved as well as new RGBs, helping to satisfy forecasters’ needs for more concise, value-added information.

The GOES-R ABI imager will have five more channels compared to the MSG SEVIRI, allowing for an expanded suite of products. The polar-orbiting MODIS imager has these bands, which has allowed us to preview VIIRS and GOES-R ABI capabilities. Unlike MODIS however, ABI will produce animations of RGB imagery over the United States and most of the Western Hemisphere at frequent intervals between 30 seconds and 15 minutes.