GOES Imager Channel Notation

NOTE: It is recommended that Imager channels
be referred to by wavelength to avoid confusion
with channel number or "aliases."

Central
Wavelength
(µm)*
Channel No. Also Known
As . . .
Half-Power
Points**
(µm)
0.65 1 VIS
visible
visual
0.55-0.75
3.9 2 IR2
shortwave
shortwave window
3.8-4.0
6.7 3 IR3
water vapor
WV
6.5-7.0
10.7 4 IR4
longwave
IR
window
10.2-11.2
12.0 5 IR5
split window
dirty window
IR12
11.5-12.5
*The symbol µm is an abbreviation for micrometer (one millionth of a meter). It replaces the older unit micron symbolized by µ.

**The wavelengths where the response of the instrument is one half of the peak response. The instrument "sees" most of the radiation between these limits, but only a little radiation outside of them.