For over 40 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has monitored the atmosphere with geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES). GOES is a NOAA-NASA program that provides continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity. Because the satellites stay above a fixed spot on the Earth’s surface, they provide a constant vigil for weather conditions that can directly affect human safety and protect property, as well as the nation’s economic health.

GOES is comprised of two spacecraft, GOES-East and GOES-West, which each serve the eastern and western United States with real time weather data. Both GOES-East and GOES-West have two primary instruments: the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and the Sounder. ABI’s advanced design provides three times more spectral channels, four times more resolution and five times faster scanning than previous GOES imaging instruments. The Sounder provides detailed information on the vertical structure of clouds, the temperature of the atmosphere and water vapor content.

ABI images are used to detect cloud formations, monitor the movement of thunderstorms and hurricanes, estimate rainfall for flash flood warnings, forecast snowfall accumulations, track sea and lake ice and more. ABI’s advanced technology enables meteorologists to observe the evolution of weather events in near-real time, so forecasters can take immediate action, reducing public danger and damage.

In addition to observing weather, GOES can also detect volcanic eruptions and their associated ash plumes. GOES’ fast temporal cadence and enhanced spatial resolution can help NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices, National Centers and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to more quickly detect and monitor these events. This information can reduce aviation safety risks by allowing airlines to more accurately monitor the location of volcanic ash plumes before and during flights.

The GOES satellites are controlled from the NOAA Satellite Operations Center in Suitland, Maryland. They communicate with a NOAA ground receiving station called the NOAA/NESDIS Distributed System Control Center (DSC) at Wallops Island, Virginia.

GOES satellites operate in a geosynchronous orbit 35,790 kilometres (22,240 miles) above the Earth, which allows them to continuously view the continental United States and portions of Central America, South America and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

As the GOES system continues to evolve, NOAA is introducing new technologies and enhancing existing capabilities to ensure a strong future for the satellites. For example, GOES-17’s ABI instrument recently began operating in a new 10-minute flex mode that changes the frequency of full-disk imaging from a 15-second scan every minute to a two-minute scanning interval. This change will help to minimize how deep the sun’s rays penetrate into ABI’s detector, keeping heat away from critical components. A twice-a-year yaw flip maneuver guarantees that ABI maintains this favorable sun geometry year-round. Learn more about the latest GOES products on NOAA’s STAR website.

The word nice evokes an array of feelings and connotations. It can be a term of endearment, used to describe someone who makes you feel comfortable in their presence, or it could mean polite and respectful. In a business setting, being nice is a virtue that helps you build positive relationships and get ahead in your career. However, there is a downside to being too nice – in the wrong context it can be seen as inauthentic and ingratiating.

The adjective nice means “pleasant, pleasant-sounding, or pleasing,” but the verb is more specific: to be nice is to behave in a friendly, ingratiating, or conciliatory way. It’s not always possible to be nice all the time, but if you can make the effort, it will make you and the people around you happier.

People who are truly nice can put themselves in other people’s shoes, so they can understand how their actions might affect others. They are empathetic and want to help everyone in their life to be happy. Nice people are also honest, but they’re careful to deliver their criticism tactfully. If they have a bad habit of making other people feel inferior, they will own it and work to change their behavior.

Authentic nice people show their kindness with actions as well as words. They’re the ones who hold doors open for you, they say please and thank you, and they are mindful of how their actions affect others. Being kind is a way of life for these people, and they’re often rewarded with the same kindness in return.

The Nice area is famous for its beach, the Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English), a seafront promenade lined with the iconic blue chairs known as les chaises bleues. The city’s historic core, with its narrow streets and picture-perfect Palais Massena hotel, dates from the 18th century, when the town was a winter retreat for the English elite. For an overview of Nice’s history, visit the museum in a 19th-century Belle Epoque villa (entry EUR10).

There are plenty of other things to see and do in Nice, including visiting the Cours Saleya, which is the center of the daily flower market (entry EUR7) and offers glimpses into the city’s upper class past. The old town is also home to the picturesque old port and the medieval castle, the Château de Massena, which houses a modern art gallery (entry EUR8).

Nice is a company built on the principle of transparency and collaboration. We believe that the best results are achieved when we work together with our distribution partners and customers in a mutually rewarding manner. We are committed to being the most customer-centric company in our industry and work hard to deliver the best products, services, and support. Nice is proud to partner with the leading entertainment, audio, climate, security, and lighting brands in order to provide a simple yet powerful platform for our customers’ connected home. To learn more, contact us today.