Question 2

What observing capability or capabilities are unique to POES and not found on present GOES platforms? (Click the button for the best answer below.)

a) The ability to provide soundings of atmospheric temperature and moisture.
b) The lower orbit and subsequently higher resolution of POES imagery.
c) Microwave imaging and sounding of earth's atmosphere, clouds, and surface.
d) The ability to monitor clouds, surface, and atmospheric conditions during daytime and nighttime.

Discussion

c) is the correct response.

Microwave imaging and sounding were first introduced on POES platforms in the 1970s but have not yet been deployed on GOES. AMSU and SSM/I instruments on NOAA-15 and DMSP satellites respectively allow for the retrieval of atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles as well as observation of surface features in the presence of clouds. They also enable measurement of precipitation features and water amounts within clouds.

a) is incorrect since GOES can also provide profiles of atmospheric temperature and moisture. b) is incorrect since resolution is also a function of the instrument's optics, and d) is incorrect since both POES and GOES provide nighttime as well as daytime coverage.