Different calibration methods (temperature/radiance tables) have been used for the Meteosat satellite series to convert the radiances into brightness temperatures.
Last Updated
06 May 2022
Published on
01 October 2020
Meteosat IR/WV channel calibration methods
Vicarious Calibration was the only available method from the start of the Meteosat Programme.
Black Body Calibration is used for Meteosat-7 since 29 May 2000 and was slightly updated on 4 January 2001.
Satellite Intercalibration with non-EUMETSAT spacecraft for development of a globally normalised calibration.
Meteosat VIS Channel Calibration is not provided for real-time dissemination, but estimated off-line. VIS calibration coefficients are available.
For the Meteosat-6 Rapid Scan Service (RSS) a Satellite Cross Calibration was used to correct the image anomaly, with the result that the images were radiometrically stable. From 1 October 2002 the RSS images were disseminated with constant IR and WV calibration coefficients between gain changes.
Calibration Coefficients
0° Service:*
MFG Service ended on 16 June 2006
IODC Service:
MFG Service ended on 31 March 2017
RSS Service:
MFG Service ended on 8 January 2007
*Note: Meteosat-2 Calibration Coefficients are available for the period February 1982 until August 1988.
Calibration Coefficients generated before 22 February 1982 are not documented well enough and, therefore, they are not published.
The spacecounts until June 1986 were not recorded, however, it is assumed that they are the same as those that were delivered from July 1986 onwards.
The coefficients listed in the calibration pages are valid from the indicated slot (time) onwards.
Historical calibration information and spacecraft-dependent variables
The spectral response data have been provided by the spacecraft manufacturer. Due to a pre-launch problem the spectral responses for Meteosat-5 and -6 might be non-optimal, and investigations have shown that using the Meteosat-7 spectral response data for these two spacecraft gives a more consistent result.
Temperature to radiance tables for Meteosat-5, -6 and -7
The radiance-to-temperature relation tables given below allow the conversion from temperature to radiance, and vice versa, for the WV and IR channels of Meteosat-5, -6 and -7.
