Temporal Resolution

The temporal resolution of a satellite instrument is how frequently it observes the same area on Earth. Temporal resolution is tied to the orbit of a satellite. Geostationary satellites have high temporal resolution, on the order of minutes, because they continuously observe the same area of Earth’s surface. Polar-orbiting satellites have relatively low temporal resolution, on the order of one or more days, because they observe a new area of the Earth’s surface with each orbital pass.