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Instrument profile: AVHRR--Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
AVHRR is a series of USA government-owned multispectral imaging satellites that orbit the Earth in polar orbits, mapping a large portion
of the Earth's surface (pole to pole) in each orbit in optical, reflected infrared, and thermal infrared at 1 km resolution. The emphasis is on obtaining
meteorological data. Missions flown include
NOAA-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. AVHRR satellites are still active.
Usefulness to land managers
Because of the large pixel size (1 km on a side), AVHRR data are likely to be useful only to those working
on ecoregional/state/national/global scales.
Costs and Contacts
$50 for a Raw (level 1b) Scene (2400×6400 km), for "approved" users.
http://www.saa.noaa.gov/nsaa/products/welcome--An
electronic library of NOAA environmental data.
http://edc.usgs.gov/products/satellite/avhrr.html--USGS web site
including ordering information and additional satellite specs.
Sample images
 Central USA Level 1B Scene |
Useful Web Sites
See above.
Technical Specs
| Spectral data characteristics: | |||
| Band #/type | Spectral Coverage Satellites 6,8,10 |
Spectral Coverage Satellites 7,9,11,12,14 |
Spectral Coverage Satellites 15,16,17 |
| 1: visible/green | 580-680 nm | 580-680 nm | 580-680 nm |
| 2: reflected IR | 725-1050 nm | 725-1050 nm | 725-1050 nm |
| 3: reflected/thermal IR |
3550-3930 nm (3.55-3.93 microns) |
3550-3930 nm (3.55-3.93 microns) |
A: 1580-1640 nm (1.58-1.64 microns) B: 3550-3930 nm (3.55-3.93 microns) |
| 4: thermal IR | 10500-11500nm (10.5-11.5 microns) | 10300-11300nm (10.3-11.3 microns) | 10300-11300nm (10.3-11.3 microns) |
| 5: thermal IR | 10500-11500nm (10.5-11.5 microns) | 11500-12500nm (11.5-12.5 microns) | 11500-12500nm (11.5-12.5 microns) |
|
Areal data characteristics: |
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| Pixel Size | Swath Width | Swath Length | |
| 1.1 km × 1.1 km | 2399 km | Global (pole to pole) | |
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Other Information: |
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| 1 "Scene"= 2400×6400 km | |||
References
http://edc.usgs.gov/guides/avhrr.html#avhrr5--accessed 15 Sept. 2004
http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/1KM/avhrr_sensor.asp#avhrr3--accessed 15 Sept. 2004
http://edc.usgs.gov/products/satellite/avhrr.html--accessed 15 Sept. 2004
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