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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellite (POES) Global Visible and Infrared Band Data from ESSA (1966 - 1972) and NOAA (1972 - 1978) Satellites

NOAA POES imagery 1966-1978

browse graphicCalibrated visible satellite data (gnav) sample image
The NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellite (POES) Global Visible and Infrared Band Data from ESSA (1966 - 1972) and NOAA (1972 - 1978) Satellites data set, provided in NetCDF format, was created by scanning satellite images held in the NCEI Physical Archives. Data were scanned from either 35 mm film or paper photographs, then converted to NetCDF format with navigation information to improve accessibility and use in modern satellite applications. Data are mapped to a polar stereographic grid with a grid cell size of approximately 10 km. Visible and infrared data are available for both southern and northern hemispheres within this data collection but may not be available for all dates. Each scanned image's NetCDF file includes the raw scanned data, in addition to the processed imagery that has undergone pseudo-calibration and has been navigated to include location information. The original scans are archived via a separate Submission Agreement. Most of the scanning and all of the navigation and processing was done at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). The NOAA team at NSIDC maintains the User’s Guide documentation for this data set, and provides a link so that users who search NSIDC’s site will find the data set. The data are archived at and distributed by NCEI.

The ESSA satellites (ESSA-3, -5, -7, -9) were in operation from December 1966 through November 1972. They were equipped with the Advanced Vidicon Camera System (AVCS). In addition, ITOS-1 and NOAA-1 were equipped with the AVCS and were operational from January 1970 to August 1971. Only visible images are available during this time period. Quality varies throughout the 1960s time period. From October 1972 through March 1978, data from the NOAA satellites (NOAA-2, -3, -4, -5) were acquired. They were equipped with a Scanning Radiometer (SR) with both visible and infrared (IR) bands, so IR observations are available for this time period as well as visible. These were organized as cross-track scan lines.
  • Cite as: Campbell, G. Garrett, (2019): NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellite (POES) Global Visible and Infrared Band Data from ESSA (1966 - 1972) and NOAA (1972 - 1978) Satellites [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5QV3JV6 [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01577
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Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1966-12-01 to 1978-03-16 (time interval: 1-day)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2019
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose This data is useful for the study of weather and climate before the current satellite record. It may be useful for reanalysis studies, cloud climatologies, and special weather events.
Use Limitations
  • Gaps may exist in the data due to sensor/satellite failure, missing data, or poor quality results.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Campbell, G. Garrett, (2019): NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellite (POES) Global Visible and Infrared Band Data from ESSA (1966 - 1972) and NOAA (1972 - 1978) Satellites [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5QV3JV6 [access date].
Cited Authors
  • G. Garrett
    NSIDC > National Snow and Ice Data Center
Principal Investigators
  • G. Garrett
    NSIDC > National Snow and Ice Data Center
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Visible Wavelengths > Visible Imagery
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Infrared Wavelengths > Infrared Imagery
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • ESSA Data Rescue
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NSIDC_NOAA > National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the National Snow and Ice Data Center
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • NOAA-1 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-1
  • NOAA-2 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-2
  • NOAA-3 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-3
  • NOAA-4 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-4
  • ESSA-3 > Environmental Science Services Administration-3
  • ESSA-5 > Environmental Science Services Administration-5
  • ESSA-7 > Environmental Science Services Administration-7
  • ESSA-9 > Environmental Science Services Administration-9
  • ITOS-1 > Improved TIROS Operational System
  • NOAA-5 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-5
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • AVCS > Advanced Vidicon Camera System
  • SR > Scanning Radiometer
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 10 km - < 50 km or approximately .09 degree - < .5 degree
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Daily - < Weekly
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Campbell, G. Garrett, (2019): NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellite (POES) Global Visible and Infrared Band Data from ESSA (1966 - 1972) and NOAA (1972 - 1978) Satellites [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5QV3JV6 [access date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Original satellite data were collected by ESSA (later NOAA) and sent to the National Climatic Data Center (now NCEI) for stewardship. NSIDC then scanned the original imagery from physical media stored at NCEI, then digitized and applied navigation to the files.
Processor
  • NSIDC > National Snow and Ice Data Center
Processing Documents
Source Datasets
  • Polar-Orbiting Satellite (POES) Images
    • Polar-Orbiting Satellite (POES) Images
      Source data used in the creation of this dataset.
    • Description of Source: All data included in this digitized, calibrated dataset were processed from film or photographs. These scans are stored at NCEI.
    • Temporal extent used: 1966-12-01 to 1978-03-16
    • Spatial extent used: N:90 S:-90 E:180 W:-180
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • AVCS > Advanced Vidicon Camera System
  • SR > Scanning Radiometer
Platform
  • NOAA-1 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-1
  • NOAA-2 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-2
  • NOAA-3 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-3
  • NOAA-4 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-4
  • NOAA-5 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-5
  • ESSA-3 > Environmental Science Services Administration-3
  • ESSA-5 > Environmental Science Services Administration-5
  • ESSA-7 > Environmental Science Services Administration-7
  • ESSA-9 > Environmental Science Services Administration-9
  • ITOS-1 > Improved TIROS Operational System
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov