New sensor on NOAA-2 satellite monitors the 1972-73 Great Lakes ice season

The NOAA-2 satellite was launched Oct. 15, 1972 in a 790 nautical mile-high near-polar sun-synchronous orbit. The Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) views earth in both the visible and thermal-IR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum at 1-kilometer resolution. Its orbit permits the satellite to acquire imagery on a daily basis over any given location at approximately 0900 and 2100 local time. Visible data at 1-kilometer resolution represents a 16-fold increase in data density over previous NOAA satellite capabilities. Thermal data are now available over an area at 100 times the previous NOAA-1 thermal data density. Following the onset of ice formation in Lake Erie early in January, ice buildup and thaw were observed as cloud cover permitted throughout the short winter season.