Question 3

Question 5

POES AMSU and SSM/I instruments detect atmospheric, cloud, and surface features in what portions of the electromagnetic spectrum? (Click the button for the best answer below.)

a) In the microwave and infrared.
b) In the visible, infrared, and microwave.
c) In the microwave only.
d) Depends upon time of day (microwave during nighttime, infrared during daytime).

Discussion

c) is the correct response.

Both AMSU and SSM/I "passively" sense microwave radiation emitted and scattered by earth's atmosphere, clouds, precipitation, and surface. NOAA and DMSP satellites both have visible and infrared sensing capabilities, but those are found on other dedicated instruments such as the AVHRR and HIRS onboard NOAA, and OLS onboard DMSP.