Image courtesy of Hal Pierce, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) overflew the very
core of intensifying Typhoon Etau in the western Pacific at noon
on August 7. This remarkable TRMM image is constructed in three
parts: The white background shows the counterclockwise spiral of
the storm?s clouds, as imaged by the Visible and Infrared
Scanner (VIRS). Superimposed on top of the clouds (wide outer
swath) is the rain intensity, as detected by passive microwave
energy using the TRMM Microwave Radiometer (TMI). The innermost
swath shows the rain intensity as measured by the TRMM
Precipitation Radar. Reds indicated the heaviest rain regions,
with rain rates on the order of several inches per hour. Typhoon
Etau appears as a very symmetric storm?like a giant, slowly
spinning pinwheel?with a well defined, nearly closed eye. During
the time of this image the storm had achieved Typhoon 2
intensity. In one sweep, the TRMM satellite was able to capture
the detailed cloud structu