Optimized GOES-13 Scanning becomes operational
An optimization to the GOES-13 scanning schedule (discussed here) that provides, among other things, better coverage of the Caribbean Sea, became operation at 1600 UTC on May 6, 2014. Half-hourly imagery (in this case, 10.7 µm) from before the switch show intermittent coverage over the Caribbean Sea (at :15 and :45 minutes after the hour); CONUS imagery at :02 and :32, however, only extended to 14 N and to 63 W.
GOES-13 Infrared (10.7 µm) Imagery, times as indicated, before the switch to an Optimized Schedule (click to enlarge)
GOES-13 schedule optimization allows the :00 and :30 (note the slight shift in nominal time) images to scan to 5 N. (and also east to 54 W) Thus, an animation with 15-minute imagery (below) shows more complete coverage over the Caribbean.
GOES-13 Infrared (10.7 µm) Imagery, times as indicated, after the switch to an Optimized Schedule (click to enlarge)