1. ATS-III: Making the Images Available Jean Phillips Schwerdtfeger Library, Space Science and Engineering Center University of Wisconsin-Madison ASLI Conference, 12-13 January 2005, San Diego, CA

2. 18 November 1967 Movie

3. Discussion Threads The Spin-Scan Camera Idea Spin-Scan Camera on ATS-I Spin-Scan Camera on ATS-III Database, ATS Image Classification Searching the Images Conclusion

4. The Spin-Scan Camera Idea Verner Suomi, Father of Satellite Meteorology Payload of ATS-I, 1966 Payload of ATS-III, 1967 Pioneered continuous viewing of weather from space

5. Camera Idea, cont. Suomi understood benefits of observing single weather events at frequent intervals These observations not possible with polar orbiting satellites NASA’s new geostationary satellite, Applications Technology Satellite (ATS)

6. Camera Idea, cont. “The weather moves, not the satellite” (Suomi) Suomi used the spin of the satellite to scan the earth – 2400 satellite revolutions needed to produce one Earth image The camera scanned a small strip of the Earth with each rotation, tilting slightly for the next rotation (or line of the picture) Image of Earth created in about 20 minutes

7. Camera Idea, cont. Spin-Scan Camera allowed scientists to observe weather systems as they developed A concept that revolutionized satellite meteorology Weather satellite images and “movies” of weather in motion were seen on the news as a result of Suomi’s invention The technology soon became operational – it was now possible to track air motion, cloud heights, rainfall, natural disasters and other weather events

8. Spin-Scan Cloud Camera on ATS-I Dr. Suomi was the PI for the ATS-I Spin-Scan Cloudcover Camera (SSCC) Experiment Launched on 7 December 1966 and among other things, was designed to collect and relay cloudcover pictures ATS-I spacecraft was a cylinder 54” long and 57.6” in diameter Experiment successful through 16 October 1972 (From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume I)

9. ATS-I Spacecraft From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume I)The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume I

10. Spin-Scan Cloud Camera From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume I)The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume I

11. Multicolor Spin-Scan Cloudcover Camera (MSSCC) on ATS-III Multicolor Spin-Scan Cloudcover Camera (MSSCC) Experiment led by Dr. Verner Suomi Launched 5 November 1967 Provided color pictures for only three months when red and blue channels failed Continued to provide black-and-white pictures until 11 December 1974

12. MSSCC, cont. Cylindrical spacecraft was 54” long and 57.6” in diameter Two solar arrays provided 175 watts for ten experiments in addition to the MSSCC Experiment (From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume II)

13. ATS-III Spacecraft From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume IIThe Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume II

14. Multicolor Spin-Scan Camera From: The Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume IIThe Applications Technology Satellite Meteorological Data Catalog: Volume II

15. BAMS Cover, February 1968 ATS-III, 10 November 1967

16. ATS-I & -III Montage, 10 November 1967 BAMS, February 1968

17. MSSCC, cont. Purpose of adding color was to help estimate the altitudes of cloud tops The red/blue channel ratio along with zenith angle is used to calculate cloud altitude Color gives better contrast between clouds and background ATS-III camera capable of full disk Earth images which is aesthetically more pleasing ATS-III provided first useful color photography from this altitude (From: BAMS, v.49, no.2, February 1968, pp74-83)

19. ATS Image Classification Images include metadata gathered from the ATS Data Catalogs Each image can be viewed at high or low resolution Records include: thumbnail, date and time notations, geographic location, print quality designation, satellite designation

20. Images, cont. Source documents scanned “as is” so that digital image represents hard copy original Images color-corrected Record includes link to uncorrected original

21. Uncorrected Image 18 November 1967, 153255Z

22. Color-corrected Image 18 November 1967, 153255Z

23. Searching the Images

24. Searching, cont. Search parameters: date and time range, image quality, and geographic locations http://library.ssec.wisc.edu/spinscan

26. Why Bother? First true color images from a geostationary satellite, capturing frequent weather observations over large fraction of Earth’s surface After it became operational, the technology improved the accuracy of forecasting Adopted for many satellites built for NASA, NOAA, ESA, Japanese Meteorological Agency, Chinese National Satellite Meteorological Center

27. Physical collection is degrading, needs preservation, and is difficult to use Electronic files no longer available Extends available climate data set to pre-SMS, allowing scientists to study weather history over a longer baseline Legacy of Dr. Verner E. Suomi