2005-06-28

About Himawari-6 Satellite and the Period of Transition

Starting from 0300 UTC on June 28, 2005, the geostationary meteorological satellite of Japan will change from GOES-9 to Himawari-6 (MTSAT-1R). The following images are the first images we received.

MTSAT-1R / Gray scale Infrared 1 Infrared 2 Infrared 3 Infrared 4
MTSAT-1R / Blue Marble (*1) Infrared 1 Infrared 2 Infrared 3 Infrared 4
GOES-9 / Gray scale Infrared 1 Infrared 2 Infrared 3 No Data

(*1) This image is created using the gray-scale image taken by Himawari-6 with the background image using Blue Marble data.

We have a transition plan as follows.

In any case, the troubles of the system are expected in the transition phase, so please be patient for a moment.

(*1) To be correct, the dissemination of visible imgaery will be terminated only for internet-based dissemination. The medium-scale data utilization station (MDUS), equipped with a big receiving antenna, can receive visible imagery through the antenna as before. To have a big antenna, however, it is required to prepare tens of million yen and a wide space for installing the antenna, so in many cases this is not a feasible plan. The small-scale data utilization station (SDUS), equipped with a small receiving antenna, can also receive visible imagery, but the resolution of data is too low for research purposes. In comparison, the internet-based dissemination is a reasonable solution for many people, because the investment for using satellite imagery is usually small compared to having an antenna. The decision of termination seems to be the sign of disregard for intenet in Japan Meteorological Agency.

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