EO·Atlas
Sea-surface temperature retrieval
Retrieves ocean skin or subskin temperature from calibrated thermal-infrared split-window radiances, with passive-microwave radiometry providing coarser all-weather SST continuity.
Sea-surface temperature retrieval estimates the temperature of the ocean surface from calibrated radiance, not land emissivity. The high-resolution operational route is thermal-infrared split-window retrieval under clear sky; microwave SST retrieval supplies lower-resolution, cloud-penetrating continuity for all-weather ocean analyses.[1][2] It is first-choice for SST mapping but should not be reused as a land-surface-temperature method because ocean emissivity, skin-depth, validation, and cloud-screening assumptions differ.
- MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
via Aqua
MODIS has a documented thermal-infrared SST retrieval.
- Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E)
via Aqua
AMSR-E is a passive-microwave SST-capable radiometer for cloudy/all-weather ocean continuity.
- Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2)
via GCOM-W1 (Shizuku)
AMSR2 is a passive-microwave SST-capable radiometer for cloudy/all-weather ocean continuity.
- China Ocean Colour and Temperature Scanner
via HY-1D
COCTS is recorded as an ocean colour and temperature scanner on HY-1D.
- INSAT-3DS Imager
via INSAT-3DS
Split-window TIR channels support SST retrieval.
- MSU-GS Electro-L Imager
via Electro-L N4
MSU-GS infrared imagery supports SST retrieval.
- METimage meteorological imager
via Metop-SG-A1
METimage visible/infrared imaging supports SST products.
- MSU-MR VIS/IR Imaging Radiometer
via Meteor-M N2-4
MSU-MR contributes ocean surface temperature variables in WMO OSCAR measurement mapping.
- Second Generation Global Imager (SGLI)
via GCOM-C (Shikisai)
SGLI includes thermal infrared channels used for sea-surface-temperature retrieval products.
- Infrared Multispectral Scanner - 2
via Huan Jing-2A
IRMSS-2 MWIR/TIR channels have WMO-listed sea-surface-temperature relevance.
- SLSTR (Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer)
via Sentinel-3B
SLSTR demonstrates sea-surface temperature retrieval on Sentinel-3B.
- Sea Surface Temperature Monitor
via Oceansat-3
SSTM is the sea-surface temperature payload on Oceansat-3; WMO reports it has failed due to scan mechanism.
- Advanced Baseline Imager
via GOES-16
ABI thermal infrared bands support sea-surface temperature products.
- Flexible Combined Imager (FCI)
via Meteosat-12
FCI infrared imagery supports sea-surface temperature products.
- Advanced Himawari Imager
via Himawari-9
JMA lists detailed sea-surface-temperature data among Himawari-8/9 derived products.
- FY-4B Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager
via FY-4B
WMO lists sea-surface temperature retrieval as high relevance for AGRI MWIR/TIR window channels.
- INSAT-3DR Imager
via INSAT-3DR
MOSDAC states the split-window TIR imager enables improved sea-surface-temperature extraction over the Indian region.
- FY-4A Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager
via FY-4A
WMO lists sea-surface temperature retrieval as high relevance for AGRI thermal channels.
- Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager
via Meteosat-10
SEVIRI IR 10.8 and IR 12.0 channels used for SST retrieval over clear ocean. EUMETSAT publishes operational SST product from MSG/SEVIRI.
- OceanTech R&D
OceanTech R&D uses satellite-derived sea surface temperature as an early-warning indicator for coral bleaching events, integrated alongside field sensor temperature data.
- Marmoris Coastal Ecosystem Insights
Retrieves surface temperature and spectral emissivity from TIR radiance measurements; good for urban heat islands, drought stress monitoring, and surface energy balance studies.
- [1]Sea Surface Temperatureagency doc2026-06-08
- [2]MODIS Infrared Sea Surface Temperature Algorithm Theoretical Basis Documentagency doc2026-06-08
Edited from public sources. Last reviewed date pending by SpectraWorks editorial. See the data dictionary for field definitions.