Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) Scan Modes

The timeline for the ABI to make complete observations (scans) of the Full Disk, CONUS, and Mesoscale sectors is termed the scan mode. The scan mode is adjustable and varies depending on the operational needs of the ABI (e.g., calibration, navigation).

The table below summarizes the frequency of observations for the four ABI scan modes you may encounter. Descriptions of the scan modes are given in the sections on this page.

Scan Mode	Observation Frequency (min)
	Full Disk	CONUS	Mesoscale
M6	10	5	1
M3	15	5	1
M3G	15	---	2
M4	5	---	---

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Mode 6 (M6): Current Flex Mode

Mode 6 is the current "flex mode," the default ABI scan mode. It became the default mode on April 2, 2019. The Mode 6 timelines are slightly different for GOES-16 and GOES-17; GOES-16 uses Mode 6A and GOES-17 uses Mode 6M.

In Mode 6, the ABI scans with the following frequency:

• Full Disk sector every 10 minutes
• CONUS sector every 5 minutes
• Mesoscale sectors every 1 minute

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Mode 3 (M3): Previous Flex Mode

Mode 3 was the previous default "flex mode," prior to April 2, 2019.

In Mode 3, the ABI scanned with the following frequency:

• Full Disk sector every 15 minutes
• CONUS sector every 5 minutes
• Mesoscale sectors every 1 minute

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Mode 3G (M3G): GOES-17 Cooling Mode

During its operational lifetime as GOES-West, GOES-17 operated in the Mode 3G cooling timeline four times per year, for a six-hour (0600–1200 UTC) period each day, to mitigate the effects of the loop heat pipe (LHP) temperature regulation anomaly.

In Mode 3G, the ABI scans with the following frequency:

• Full Disk sector every 15 minutes
• No CONUS sector
• Mesoscale sectors every 2 minutes

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Mode 4 (M4): Continuous Full Disk Mode

Mode 4, the "continuous full disk" mode, scans the Full Disk sector exclusively. It is used occasionally to perform calibration and testing.

In Mode 4, the ABI scans with the following frequency:

• Full Disk sector every 5 minutes
• No CONUS sector
• No Mesoscale sectors