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 &
Half-Power
Points* (µm)**		 Channel
No. 		Also Known
As . . .		 Main Uses
& Strengths		 Caveats
0.65
0.55-0.75		 1 VIS
visible
visual		 Click Here Click Here
3.9
3.8-4.0		 2 IR2
shortwave
shortwave window		 Click Here Click Here
6.7
6.5-7.0		 3 IR3
water vapor
WV		 Click Here Click Here
10.7
10.2-11.2		 4 IR4
longwave
IR
window		 Click Here Click Here
12.0
11.5-12.5		 5 IR5
split window
dirty window
IR12		 Click Here Click Here

*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.

**The symbol µm is an abbreviation for micrometer (one millionth of a meter). It replaces the older unit micron symbolized by µ.