HIRS3

HIRS3 refers to the High Resolution Infrared Sounder 3, a component of NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) geostationary satellite series. Specifically, HIRS3 is an instrument designed to measure atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles. It operates by sensing infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's atmosphere at various wavelengths. By analyzing these spectral measurements, scientists can infer the vertical distribution of temperature and water vapor. This data is crucial for a wide range of meteorological applications, including weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and the study of atmospheric phenomena. HIRS3 instruments have been flown on several GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) missions, contributing to a continuous stream of atmospheric data for decades. The high spectral resolution allows for finer detail in the retrieved profiles compared to earlier sounders. Understanding the vertical structure of the atmosphere is fundamental to predicting weather patterns, such as the development of storms, and for assessing long-term climate trends. The data collected by HIRS3 plays a vital role in numerical weather prediction models and climate research.