Remote Sensing and Meteorological Satellites
Core concepts
Understand satellite orbits: geostationary (high altitude, continuous view) and polar-orbiting (low altitude, global coverage, higher resolution). Study visible, infrared, and water-vapour channels, and the interpretation of cloud patterns. Learn about radar: reflectivity, Doppler velocity, dual-polarisation, and the radar equation qualitatively. Understand products such as cloud-top height, sea-surface temperature, and aerosol detection.
Traps
Questions often confuse the resolution of geostationary and polar satellites. Water-vapour imagery shows moisture in the mid-troposphere, not surface humidity. Doppler radar measures radial velocity, not total wind. Be careful with the interpretation of bright versus dark infrared imagery.
Worked example
A geostationary satellite at 36,000 km provides images every 15 minutes, ideal for tracking convective development, while a polar satellite at 800 km offers higher spatial resolution but only twice-daily overpasses. For nowcasting, the geostationary cadence is decisive.