GVHRR/ATS-6: Historical Geosynchronous Infrared Satellite Images

GVHRRATS6IMIR is the Geosynchronous Very High Resolution Radiometer Black and White Infrared Images on 70mm Film data product from the sixth Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6). The dataset contains several hundred scanned TIFF images from 70mm film, each picture showing a brightness temperature gray scale and a title with metadata like satellite ID, date, and spectral band. Data collection occurred from the satellite's launch until August 15, 1974, when the instrument became inoperable, with Principal Investigator William E. Shenk from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical cloud patterns based on infrared imagery.
• Study brightness temperature variations over time based on the gray scale data.
• Research the evolution of satellite imaging technology based on the film-to-digital conversion process.
• Conduct geospatial analysis of the Western Hemisphere based on the satellite's 95W geosynchronous orbit.

Strengths

• Each image contains a detailed title with metadata including date, spectral band, and satellite identification.
• Images include a calibrated gray scale representing brightness temperatures.
• Data has a defined temporal endpoint, with collection ending on August 15, 1974.

Limitations

• The original data is a secondary digital scan of 70mm film, which may introduce artifacts or reduce fidelity.
• Row count and total image count are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Collection Method

Originally produced on commercial image-generation equipment from digital tapes onto 70mm film, later scanned to digital TIFF files.

Time Range

From satellite launch until August 15, 1974.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:46:44.117710; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Hemisphere below the satellite, which was parked in a geosynchronous orbit at 95W.