Question 4

Question 4

POES observes atmospheric and surface features in what portions of the electromagnetic spectrum? Does this capability differ significantly from that available with the current GOES satellites? (Click the button for the best answer below.)

a) In the infrared and microwave. GOES covers the visible and infrared.
b) In the visible, infrared, and microwave. Microwave observations are not ye available on current GOES satellites.
c) The visible and infrared. A microwave capability exists for GOES but not yet for POES.
d) The visible, infrared, and microwave just like GOES.

Discussion

b) is the correct response.

POES and GOES actually provide very similar imaging and sounding capabilities in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The greatest differences are found with the infrared imaging channels. POES imagers scan at a higher resolution in the infrared (1.1 km vs. 4 to 8 km for GOES). GOES includes a water vapor imaging channel whereas POES does not. POES also includes a microwave sounding and imaging capability whereas GOES does not.