Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran


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Weather satellite images recorded at Coonabarabran, Australia.

Latitude: -31.270, Longitude: 149.280

Software: WXtoImg version 2.10.11

Receiver: APT-06

Antenna: QFH

Click on any image below for a full sized image. Times are shown in AUS Eastern Daylight Time.

Next Scheduled Satellite Passes over Coonabarabran, Australia

Satellite
Name
Start of Pass End of Pass Direction Maximum Elevation
Degrees (East or West)
Frequency
MHz
UTC Local Time* UTC Local Time*
NOAA 19 23 Feb 03:24 23 Feb 14:24 23 Feb 03:41 23 Feb 14:41 137.10
NOAA 18 23 Feb 03:51 23 Feb 14:51 23 Feb 04:06 23 Feb 15:06 137.9125
NOAA 19 23 Feb 05:05 23 Feb 16:05 23 Feb 05:20 23 Feb 16:20 137.10
NOAA 18 23 Feb 05:31 23 Feb 16:31 23 Feb 05:48 23 Feb 16:48 137.9125
NOAA 15 23 Feb 05:58 23 Feb 16:58 23 Feb 06:14 23 Feb 17:14 137.62
NOAA 15 23 Feb 07:38 23 Feb 18:38 23 Feb 07:54 23 Feb 18:54 137.62
NOAA 19 23 Feb 13:10 24 Feb 00:10 23 Feb 13:19 24 Feb 00:19 137.10
NOAA 19 23 Feb 14:45 24 Feb 01:45 23 Feb 15:03 24 Feb 02:03 137.10

* Local time is AUS Eastern Daylight Time.

New images are added to display after every pass.

Explanation of the Weather Satellite images

There are 3 APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) active weather satellites, NOAA 15, NOAA 18 and NOAA 19 that send two monochrome images a pass using combinations of a visible light and three different infra-red wavelengths, depending whether day or night. These are used to produce two coloured images.

MCIR (Multi Colour Infra Red) which uses infra-red images to colour land green, water blue and low cloud gray and high cloud white. It may be difficult to distinguish low cloud over land and water. Darker colours indicate higher temperatures. If an image is labelled "precip", colours from green through red, and black to white, are added to clouds, to indicate possible, but not definite rain or snow. Green being the least possible to white being more possible.

MSA (Multi Spectral Analysis), uses infra-red images to improve detection of low cloud over land and water, but cannot be used at night as it also needs daylight images. So only MCIR images are produced at night. This is why both are displayed.

COMPOSITE. Each satellite makes 2 or 3 passes that can be received from any given location approximately 100 minutes apart repeated approximately every 12 hours . Multiple passes are assembled to make composite images whose components may span several hours. If another satellite passes between passes of a given one, it's images may be used, thus reducing the time span of the composite image and improving its resolution and area of coverage.

When both MCIR-precip and MSA images of the same satellite pass are produced, they are displayed as a pair in a single frame. The wave like patterns on some images are caused by electrical interference to the received signal. Unfortunately there is an 11,000 volt electrical mains transformer close to the site of the receiving antenna.

The black cross inicates the location of the receiving station and the black dots indicate cities with a population of 100,000 or more.

Some useful links

Click here for the Australian Government's Bureau of Meteorology

Click here for Storm Tracker

Click here for status of the satellites


** The images and other information on this page are kindly provided by Kevin Cooper and their currency is subject to the availability of his equipment.

*** The images and other information on this page are dependent on information provided by other organisations and/or people. No responsibility for their accuracy and/or continued availability is taken by the Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran.

Document made with Nvu Copyright (c) 2006 - 2012 Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran Inc. All rights reserved. Disclaimer & Copyright