The satellite images displayed are infrared (IR) images. Warmest
(lowest) clouds are shown in white; coldest (highest) clouds are
displayed in shades of yellow, red, and purple. Imagery is
obtained from the GOES and METEOSAT geostationary satellites,
and the two US Polar Orbiter (POES) satellites. POES satellites
orbit the earth 14 times each day at an altitude of
approximately 520 miles (870 km). As each orbit is made the
satellite can view a 1,600 mile (2,700 km) wide area of the
earth. Due to the rotation of the earth the satellite is able to
view every spot on earth twice each day. Data from multiple
orbits are mosaicked together to provide wide scale global and
full earth views in a single image. Occasional dark triangular
areas that occur on POES images are a result of gaps in data
transmitted from the orbiters. A weather satellite is a type of
satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather of the
Earth. These meteorological satellites, however, see more than
clouds and cloud systems . City lig