CEOS EO HANDBOOK – INSTRUMENT SUMMARY - MVIRS -
Full Name Moderate Resolution Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer Status Approved
Instrument Agencies NRSCC, CAST, CNSA Maturity
Instrument Type Imaging multi-spectral radiometers (vis/IR) Geometry Cross-track scanning
Instrument Technology Multi-purpose imaging Vis/IR radiometer Sampling Imaging
Data Access Data Format
Measurements and Applications Measures surface temperature and cloud and ice cover. Used for snow and flood monitoring and surface temperature.
Resolution Summary
Swath Summary
Accuracy Summary
Waveband Summary VIS - TIR: 0.47 - 12.5 µm (20 channels)
VIS (~0.40 µm - ~0.75 µm)
SWIR (~1.3 µm - ~3.0 µm)
MWIR (~3.0 µm - ~6.0 µm)
TIR (~6.0 µm - ~15.0 µm)
Instrument Measurements
Measurements Overview
CategoryParameter
Albedo and reflectanceEarth surface albedo
Atmospheric Humidity FieldsAtmospheric specific humidity (LT)
Atmospheric WindsWind profile (horizontal)
Cloud type, amount and cloud top temperatureCloud type
Cloud cover
Liquid water and precipitation ratePrecipitation intensity at the surface (liquid or solid)
Multi-purpose imagery (land)Land surface imagery
Snow cover, edge and depthSnow cover
Soil moistureSoil moisture at the surface
Surface temperature (land)Land surface temperature
Surface temperature (ocean)Sea surface temperature
VegetationNormalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI)
Thematic Links Global Climate Observing System Essential Climate Variables (GCOS ECVs)
ECVDescriptionProduct(s)ECV Inventory 3.0 Record(s)
Albedo click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Cloud Properties click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Land Surface Temperature click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Precipitation click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Sea Surface Temperature click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Snow click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Soil Moisture click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Water Vapour (upper air) click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Wind speed and direction (upper-air) click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Instrument Missions
FY-3F - FY-3F Polar-orbiting Meteorological Satellite (2023 - 2028)
FY-3H - FY-3H Polar-orbiting Meteorological Satellite (2024 - 2029)
FY-3I - FY-3I Polar-orbiting Meteorological Satellite (2024 - 2029)