Table 2.
Summary characteristics of the different sensor types used.
| Sensor Type | Highest resolution / km | Swath width / km | Zenith angle | 0.6 mm | 0.8 mm | 1.6 mm | 3.7 mm | 11 mm | 12 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVHRR/1 | 4.4 × 1.1 | 2900 | 0-68 | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| AVHRR/2 | 4.4 × 1.1 | 2900 | 0-68 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| AVHRR/3 | 4.4 × 1.1 | 2900 | 0-68 | Y | Y | Na | Y | Y | Y |
| MetOp AVHRR | 1.1 | 2900 | 0-68 | Y | Y | Nb | Y | Y | Y |
| ATSR1 | 1 | 512 | 0-22, 55 | Y | Yc | Y | Y | ||
| ATSR2 | 1 | 512 | 0-22, 55 | Nd | Nd | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| AATSR | 1 | 512 | 0-22, 55 | Ne | Ne | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| SLSTR | 1 | 750 | 0-30, 55 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| AMSR | ~50 | 1450 | 55 | N/A – microwave instrument | |||||
Resolution for AVHRRs is given for nadir viewing conditions. For AMSR the resolution varies with channel frequency and is assumed to be ~50 km here; representative of the resolution of SST products. Y indicates the presence and use of a channel on an instrument; N indicates the channel is present, but not used. a: AVHRR/3 added a 1.6 micron channel which could be transmitted during the day instead of the 3.7 micron, but this mode of operation was rarely used. b: MetOp-AVHRRs always provide 1.6 micron data during the day, and 3.7 micron during the night. c: The 3.7 micron channel on ATSR-1 failed early in the mission, but is used where present. d: These channels on ATSR-2 had restricted data availability over oceans so were not used. e: Channels were available on AATSR, but not used.