Nimbus-2 Satellite Infrared Brightness Temperature Images

Five wavelength bands of infrared brightness temperature data were captured by the Nimbus-2 Medium Resolution Infrared Radiometer (MRIR) instrument. The dataset consists of photographic film sheets, each containing a full daylight orbit, archived as JPEG 2000 digital files. Data collection was performed by NASA's GES DISC from the satellite's launch on May 15, 1966, until recorder failure on July 29, 1966.

Use Cases

• Analyze brightness temperature patterns across the 6.4-6.9, 10-11, 14-16, 5-30, and 0.2-4.0 micrometer wavelength bands to study Earth's heat balance.
• Use associated latitude grids and time data to geolocate and temporally sequence the infrared image scans for each orbit.
• Interpret the gray scales representing different temperatures to map surface or near-surface thermal conditions.
• Investigate water vapor distribution and seasonal stratospheric temperature changes using the multi-spectral infrared measurements.

Strengths

• Data covers five distinct infrared wavelength bands from 0.2 to 30 micrometers.
• Images represent approximately 3 weeks of continuous observation from a single satellite mission.
• Each film sheet contains a complete daylight orbit of data with associated geolocation information.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to a short operational period from May 15 to July 29, 1966.
• Original data is stored on physical 4 x 5 inch film sheets, digitized to JPEG 2000, which may introduce artifacts.
• The dataset's age and origin from early satellite technology may result in calibration or noise challenges.

Provenance

Source

NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), originally from NSSDC with identifier ESAD-00003.

Collection Method

Collected by the Nimbus-2 Medium Resolution Infrared Radiometer (MRIR) instrument and recorded on photographic film.

Time Range

1966-05-15 to 1966-07-29

Freshness

Data is historical, last updated 1966-07-28.

Geography

Global coverage from the Nimbus-2 satellite orbit.