GOES - 8

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) - 8 was a multispectral satellite launched in April of 1994 that sensed information in 5 bands. The satellite was launched by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and primarily captured data revolving around weather systems including water vapor levels, cloud structure, volcanic ash, pollution, and more. GOES-8 retired in 2003 and several other GOES satellites (now up to 17) are in orbit continuing its legacy.

GOES-8 was unique as it was one of the first satellites to be able to provide continuous and dependable readings of the Earth, which is necessary for constant weather analysis. The satellite utilized a combination of visible and infrared bands to be able to monitor weather patterns and conditions even when the sun isn't visibly shining. GOES-8 was one of the first to adapt to have flexible scanning for small area imaging as well as being able to obtain data from two instruments (the imager and the sounder) at once.

GOES-8 had a geosynchronous orbit, going the same speed and direction as the Earth.

Spectral Resolution |

Band 1 | Visible light band which collected data during the daytime about thunderstorms, cyclones, and frontal systems.

Band 2 |Mid- Infrared band which during the day identified fog and very large fires. It could also distinguish between water, snow, ice and clouds. Under the cover of darkness the sensor could monitor wind circulation.

Band 3 |Mid- Infrared band that was sensitive to mid and upper level water vapors making it helpful to place the jet stream as well as thunderstorms.

Band 4 |Long - Infrared band which was great for measuring cloud heights, assessing thunderstorm severity, and at night tracking clouds and frontal systems.

Band 5 |Long - Infrared (thermal) band was also great for tracking and measuring clouds and is uniquely sensitive to low level water vapor.

Spatial Resolution | Swath width: 8 km

Band 1 | 1 x 1 km

Band 2 | 4 x 4 km

Band 3 | 8 x 8 km

Band 4 | 4 x 4 km

Band 5 | 4 x 4 km

Temporal Resolution |Full earth (of the section it's pointed at) in 26 minutes [1]

Radiometric | 10 bit radiometric depth

GOES-8 is primarily used to capture weather related data. The National Weather Service uses the data to forecast future weather and news stations broadcast these images daily on their programming. Certain bands can also be used to detect fires and volcanic activity which would be useful to professionals in the field of fire suppression and volcanology.

As is stated above, the GOES-8 satellite had a keen focus on weather systems and many factions of the weather-related environmental family. This stretched anywhere from cloud coverage to intense fire detection. The data from the satellite was heavily used for news coverage and weather prediction, similar to how the modern GOES satellites inform a fair amount of our weather- related media today. People rely on it due to its dependability. GOES-8 was pointed to scan the more eastern side of North America and the Atlantic Ocean. This means that it was a key source for tracking many of the gulf hurricanes that continuously rip through our southeast states during hurricane season. During those times people need constant and accurate coverage of those impending storms. Lives most certainly depend on it. It is the satellite data and imaging that provides us with that crucial data. GOES-8 was a successful piece of equipment that gave data for 9 years. One can conclude that this product was useful as they have launched 9 additional GOES systems into orbit, each one being slightly approved upon. [3]

[1]  Website: Provided a detailed GOES Timeline and resolution details  (NOAA)

[2]  Website: Provided details and above image 

[3] Book: Remote Sensing of the Environment by John R. Jensen