This lesson provides an overview of meteorological and environmental RGB products, namely, how they are constructed and how to use them. The first half provides background information on the RGB development process and the rapid evolution of RGB products as newer geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite imagers incorporate additional spectral channels.
The second half of the lesson, the Applications section, focuses on the formulation and uses of RGB products; providing examples, interpretation exercises, satellite specific information, and other background information for many of the commonly used products.
The lesson is intended for operational forecasters, meteorology and remote sensing students from the undergraduate level on up, scientists, and all others who rely on satellite products for environmental information.
Define what an RGB product is and how it differs from other types of satellite products and imagery
List the benefits of using RGB products
Describe the process of constructing an RGB product
Describe key applications for which RGB products are used
Explain how the future of RGB products will change as next generation satellites are launched
rgb, red green blue, color compositing, color composite, primary colors, Suomi NPP, Suomi-NPP, JPSS, VIIRS, Day Night Band, day-night channel, DMSP OLS, OLS, AVHRR, Metop, MODIS, Meteosat, MSG SEVIRI, SEVIRI, MTG, FCI, GOES-R, ABI, GOES-R ABH, FY-3, FY-4, MERSI, AGRI, Himawari, AHI, NexSat, GeoColor, true color, natural color, false color, nighttime visible, airmass, air mass, snow cover, convection, dust, volcanic ash, day microphysics, cloud over snow, fog, fog and stratus, low clouds, stratus
2016-05-02: HTML and media assets in this lesson have been updated for current browsers and mobile devices.
2013-07-22: This lesson is an update to the original 2010 version and includes new information on RGB capabilities for the Suomi-NPP and upcoming JPSS VIIRS imager, and the upcoming GOES-R ABI imager. Also included is mention of RGB capabilities on board current and upcoming next-generation geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites operated by other international satellite operators, and how these map into the RGB products discussed in the applications section.
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