from a receiver site at 103.4°W longitude, 23.0°N
latitude. The
D
value of 28.4° is the difference
between 103.4° and 075.0°, ignoring the sign. The
antenna elevation is about 48 degrees, and the azimuth
on the NW scale is 126 degrees.
INTERNET
In recent years, the Internet has become a very
efficient method of acquiring satellite imagery. The
worldwide web is the fastest way to acquire a wide
variety of real-time satellite imagery. NOAA/NEDSIS
has its own website (NOAASIS) along with several
private companies and universities. Of particular
importance is that these sites can be reached aboard
ships equipped with Internet access. FNMOC can also
transmit satellite imagery over the military Internet
(NIPRNET and SIPRNET). This imagery can then be
viewed using Joint METOC Viewer (JMV) software
with any computer system able to process the data.
Details on the JMV and the NIPRNET/SIPRNET
routing networks is covered in later modules. The
Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, California,
has an outstanding Internet homepage that provides a
tremendous amount of satellite imagery data. It
contains general information relating to environmental
satellites and provides guidance packages for new and
experimental satellite products. The website also
provides links to various other satellite imagery
sources.
AUTODIN MESSAGE
The Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) is
the U.S. Navys most common method of transmitting
message traffic between commands. Satellite images
can also be sent via AUTODIN in greatly compacted
form. This method is only used in rare cases, most
often used by at-sea platforms with little or no
environmental satellite reception capability and no
Internet access. Portions ofreceived images that are of
interest to a ship can be extracted, compacted, encoded
for transmission, and sent via AUTODIN link to the
ship from any other command (normally Meteorology
and Oceanography centers). The AUTODIN encoded
images are then available for reprocessing and display
by the ship. Requests for satellite imagery via
AUTODIN are carried out on a case-by-case basis.
Requests should be limited to information that is
essential to operations, as too much data will slow
other AUTODIN message traffic.
Q30.
Q31.
Q32.
Q33.
Q34.
Q35.
Q36.
Q37.
Q38.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Which U.S. Government agency provides HF
broadcasts of satellite imagery?
What type of satellite imagery is available from
NODDS?
How is satellite imagery acquired by most
shore-based weather stations?
What is the purpose of a satellite looper?
What is the advantage of APT direct-readout
imagery?
How does the resolution between APT and
HRPT data compare?
What type of information is available from the
WEFAX broadcast?
What is the fastest way to acquire a wide variety
of satellite imagery?
How can units with no environmental satellite
reception capability or Internet access still
receive satellite imagery?
SATELLITE RECEIVER SYSTEMS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the two
primary satellite receiver systems used to
acquire direct-readout imagery and WEFAX
products. Identify the operators manuals that
provide detailed instructions for use of the
systems.
Two satellite receiver systems are routinely
operated by Navy and Marine Corps weather
observers. The AN/SMQ-11 system is used at major
shore installations and aboard all aircraft carriers.
Navy Mobile Environmental Teams (METS) use the
optional satellite module of the IMOSS to receive
satellite imagery.
AN/SMQ-11 METEOROLOGICAL
DATA SET
The AN/SMQ-11 satellite receiver station is
installed aboard most U.S. Navy ships staffed by
Aerographers Mates, at many Naval Meteorology and
Oceanography Command activities, and in Marine
Corps Mobile Meteorological Vans (METVANs).
The ANISMQ-11 may receive, process, display, grid,
and enhance DMSP imagery and both APT and HRPT
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