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CAPTION: This animation shows the Earth's atmosphere, as seen from the GOES-8 geostationary satellite at an altitude of 35,800 km. The individual frames in the animation were recorded once every three hours, for a total time of 21 hours. The image represents infrared emmissions in the water vapor absorption band, at a wavelength of 6.7 microns, in terms of brightness temperatures. The darker areas represent colder temperatures and the lighter areas indicate warmer temperatures. The pattern reflects the distribution of water vapor and liquid water in the mid and upper troposphere. The darkest spots identify locations where tall clouds are pumping moisture into the upper atmosphere, while the lightest areas represent areas with little moisture.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Geostationary satellite rotate the Earth once each day, exactly following the rotation of the Earth below. The satellite thus seems to remain stationary over one spot on the globe. As can be seen in the frame above that adds a geographical overlay, the GOES-8 satellite is stationed over Brazil, at a longitude of 75 degrees West. Areas of isloated deep convection are common over the Brazilian basin and generally a bit north of the equator along what is called the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Northward and southward from the equator, there are larger storm systems showing the curvature and rotation that is typical of mid-latitude and polar systems.
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