NOAA-21-derived data is now available in DEA Hotspots

Following December’s DEA Tech Alert to advise of the implementation of the hotspots derived from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor onboard NOAA-21, the feed has been operating successfully under its own ‘AFIMG NOAA-21’ and ‘AFMOD NOAA-21’ filters.

NOAA-21 currently passes over Australia twice at approximately 3pm and 2am Australian Eastern Standard Time, increasing the density and reliability of the afternoon and nighttime observations.

Having reliably generated hotspots since its implementation, NOAA-21 data will be integrated with the other VIIRS sensors under the 'AFMOD' and "AFIMG' filters from 8 April 2025.

In the meantime, you can continue to access the NOAA-21 feed by either including either the VIIRS ‘AFIMG NOAA-21’, or ‘AFMOD NOAA-21’ Hotspots algorithms as additional layers in the Hotspots map interface by selecting these layers from the VIIRS menu in the legend.

NOAA-21 feed can currently be selected through ‘AFIMG NOAA-21’, or ‘AFMOD NOAA-21’, but will be incorporated into the standard ‘AFMOD’ and ‘AFMIG’ filter from 8 April 2025

NOAA-21 data can also be downloaded from the Sentinel S3 bucket with the Satellite ID ‘J02’

Should you have any questions or feedback, either about the proposed timing, or the application itself, please contact us at earth.observation@ga.gov.au.