| Acronym | Meaning |
| DCS | Data Collection System (NOAA Polar Orbiting Satellites) |
| ESE | Earth Science Enterprise (NASA) |
| ENSO | El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation |
| ESSA | Environmental Science Services Administration (preceded NOAA) |
| CPC | Climate Prediction Center (NWS Center) |
| ATOVS | Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder |
| SDS | Satellite Data Services |
| HIRS | High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder |
| PPM | Part Per Million |
| VISAD | Visualization For Algorithm Development |