GOES is the acronym for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. Since 1975, the GOES satellite system has transformed NOAA’s monitoring of Earth’s atmosphere and space weather. It supports weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, meteorology research and more. The National Weather Service and the NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service division work together with GOES satellites, ground-based elements and the GOES Image Viewer to provide a continuous stream of environmental data.

The GOES system includes a series of satellites, each designed to monitor a specific geographic region. Each satellite is named with a letter during development and a number once it enters geostationary orbit. The GOES-R series has expanded NOAA’s capabilities to provide advanced imagery and data of the western United States, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitoring of solar activities and space weather.

A GOES satellite can detect radiation emitted by Earth’s surface, atmosphere and clouds by using a combination of visible light (or “visible” radiation) and infrared radiation (or “infrared” radiation). The GOES-R series has three times more spectral channels, four times more resolution, and five times faster scanning than previous GOES. Its Advanced Baseline Imager has been upgraded to allow it to capture more detail in a single image, while the GOES-U series will debut the new Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors, capable of detecting solar flares that could interfere with communications and reduce navigational accuracy for satellites, high altitude airlines, or power grids on Earth.

Before-and-after images are commonplace in print and online media, but they can be more effective when readers have the control to track the transition. A slider allows them to reveal the original image and its “after” state at different points in the article by dragging a finger across the screen.

In this example, the slider is positioned at the top of the page. As the reader drags it, the original image of a snowy forest is displayed, followed by its “after” image of a sunny meadow. A simple, straightforward interaction that will keep readers engaged and interested in the story.

Any time a piece of content includes a show/hide toggle, the reader will be more likely to stay engaged with the article. Whether used in the FAQ section of an article, as a sidebar or even in the body of the text, this feature is sure to attract attention and increase user interaction. To learn more about incorporating this element into your own articles, visit our tutorials and examples. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. The team at Infographic Nation is always ready to help!