Coastal Services Center

Summary

The OrbView-2/SeaWiFs (Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor) instrument is designed to monitor the color of the world's oceans. Subtle changes in the ocean's color result from changes in the concentrations of marine phytoplankton, resuspended sediment, and dissolved substances in the water column. Data from SeaWiFs provide insight into our understanding of the marine ecosystem and the ocean's role in the global carbon and other biogeochemical cycles. The OrbView-2/SeaWiFs sensor is a joint effort between Orbital Imaging Corporation (OrbImage) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Different Data Products

Point to the names below to view the different data products.

Applied Uses

Examples of how SeaWiFs data are being used:

	Monitoring Phytoplankton Levels The Massachusetts Water Resource Authority is using SeaWiFs as part of a monitoring program for Boston Harbor and surrounding areas following relocation of a sewage outfall.
	Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is using SeaWiFs to assist Gulf of Mexico states in the monitoring of red tides.

Other Potential Uses:

• Marine Mammal Tracking
• Preferred Sea Turtle Habitat
• Commercial and Sport Fisheries
• Monitoring Wildfires Using Smoke
• Monitoring Coral Reefs

Specifications

Spatial resolution – 1.1 kilometers at nadir

Temporal Resolution – 1-day revisit time

Swath Width – 2,801 kilometers

Data Ordering Details

Data Acquisition	The satellite is operated under a joint agreement between OrbImage and NASA. Real-time imagery and all imagery for commercial uses can be purchased directly from OrbImage. Imagery older than two weeks may be acquired for research and educational use from NASA. more info
Timing	Allow 1 to 3 days to acquire the data.
Cost	Data are available as raw spectral values and as processed chlorophyll images. Both types are available from OrbImage. Prices may vary depending on the level of processing requested and the license agreement.
Data Formats/Software Needed	The standard data formats are HDF (Hierarchical Data Format), binary raster, ASCII, GIF, and TIF. ASCII, GIF, and TIF formats can be viewed with several graphics software packages. Binary raster format requires image processing software or geographical information system (GIS) software such as ESRI ArcView® or ArcGIS® with a Spatial Analyst® extension. Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) requires image processing software such as SeaWiFs Data Analysis Software® (SeaDAS). SeaDAS is recommended if uncorrected data are acquired. This software provides processes for atmospheric correction, application of various algorithms, and image projections.
Projections	Datum - sphere Processed data are available from OrbImage in the equal-distant cylindrical projection. Unprojected data are also available.
Licensing	Licensing agreements must be negotiated with OrbImage. Data acquired from the NASA SeaWiFs project are limited to research and educational uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data Acquisition

Who produces the data?
The sensor is the result of a joint agreement between OrbImage and NASA. OrbImage has the rights to use and distribute OrbView-2/SeaWiFs data commercially. Use of NASA data is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Where do I get it?
Imagery can be purchased directly from OrbImage.

Images that are greater than two weeks old may also be acquired from the NASA SeaWiFs project free of charge; however, use of data from NASA is limited to research and educational purposes. Users must have a letter of approval from NASA to acquire data.

For more Information