Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite: GOES-8

Images of Earth made by satellites are a key component of our research. In particular, the GOES-8 satellite allows us to estimate the daily total amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth's surface. Images like the one above are captured each hour, and, using algorithms developed by a member of the team, are interpreted to yield the instantaneous flux density of solar energy (W/m^2) at the time the image was made. About 10 of these are analyzed over the course of a day, and their values integrated to yield the total energy input (MJ/(m^2d) to the surface, as shown in the plot below. Contour lines of daily insolation are plotted over an image taken about mid-day. The outline of Illinois can be seen in the lower center of the figure.

The accuracy of this procedure for estimating daily insolation is shown on the Evapotranspiration page.

To learn more about the GOES program, straight from NOAA, try NOAA Satellites