ABI | Earthdata

The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is the primary instrument aboard the GOES-R Series for imaging Earth’s weather, oceans, and environment. ABI views Earth with 16 different spectral bands (compared to five on the previous generation of GOES), including two visible channels, four near-infrared channels, and 10 infrared channels. These different channels (wavelengths) are used by models and tools to indicate various elements on Earth’s surface or in the atmosphere, such as trees, water, clouds, moisture, or smoke.

This is an infographic showing the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) measuring reflected and emitted imagery to obtain information about Earth’s land, atmosphere, and ocean. — Credit: https://www.goes-r.gov/multimedia/infographics.html

Specifications

Specs

Platform:

GOES-16 (R)

Launch Date:

November 19, 2016

Sensor Subtype:

Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers

Temporal Extent:

2016 - Present

Orbit

Altitude:

35,785 km

Inclination:

+/- 0.5°

Resolution

Spatial:

0.5 km (0.64 µm Visible), 1.0 km (Other visible/near-IR), 2 km (Bands (>2 µm))

Spectral:

16 bands (includes 2 visible channels, 4 near-infrared channels, and 10 infrared channels.)

Temporal:

Default scan mode: full disk every 10 minutes, contiguous U.S. every 5 minutes, and two smaller, more detailed images of areas where storm activity is present, every 60 seconds (or one every 30 seconds).

Second Platform Specs

Specs

Platform:

GOES-17 (S)

Launch Date:

March 1, 2018

Temporal Extent:

February 2019 - present

Third Platform Specs

Specs

Platform:

GOES-18 (T)