VISSRGOES2IMIR: GOES-2 Satellite Infrared Imagery from 1977-1978

VISSRGOES2IMIR contains infrared imagery (10.5 to 12.5 micrometer) from the GOES-2 satellite, with a maximum effective image size of 4000 by 3904 pixels covering 500 sq km. Each picture includes a title with metadata and a 33-level gray scale representing brightness temperatures, and may feature contrast enhancement, sectorization, or 1/16-size imagery. The data, originally on 70mm film and later scanned to TIFF files, provides a historical record of Earth's hemisphere from a geostationary orbit at 75W longitude.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical cloud cover and storm systems based on infrared brightness temperatures.
• Calibrating modern satellite sensors by comparing them to foundational geostationary imagery.
• Training image restoration algorithms on scanned film artifacts with title and scale annotations.
• Studying long-term climate trends in the Western Hemisphere from a consistent 1977-1978 vantage point.

Strengths

• Provides high-resolution historical context with images up to 4000x3904 pixels and a ground resolution of 3.7 km.
• Includes calibrated metadata within each image, such as a 33-level brightness temperature scale and titles with satellite ID, time, and coordinates.
• Represents a complete operational period from a key satellite, GOES-2, which was parked at 75W from 1977 through 1978.

Limitations

• Key metadata conflicts: 'last updated' dates are 1979-01-03 on one platform and 2026-04-09 on others, indicating inconsistent provenance tracking.
• The original data is a derivative scan from 70mm film, which may introduce artifacts compared to the primary digital tapes.
• Documentation is sparse; specific column names, total row/file counts, and detailed license terms are not provided.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Collection Method

Originally produced from digital tapes onto 70mm film using commercial equipment, later scanned to digital TIFF files.

Time Range

1977 through 1978

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:11:10.194137

Geography

Hemisphere view from geostationary orbit at 75W longitude over the equator.