The above views come via the EUMETSAT and NOAA weather satellites. These images are updated every 3 hours. Clicking on the thumbnails enlarges the pictures. The Meteosat and GOES satellites are on a geostationary orbit at an altitude of approx 36,000 km: they take 24 hours to go around our planet and are, therefore, permanently above the same area.

Meteosat 9 (EUMETSAT) predominantly observes Europe and Africa. The top left view is a combination of images taken in the visible and infrared light ranges: which is why the data remains visible even though this part of the globe is plunged into night.

The following, top centre thumbnail superimposes infrared and visible light data on a colour map. It predominantly highlights cloud masses.

The top right view enables water vapour and its movement in our atmosphere to be observed. This data is essential to weather forecasts.

GOES West (NOAA), bottom left, shows an infrared image centred over North and South America. It highlights cloud masses. The infrared light procures an image even though this part of the globe is plunged into night.

GOES East (NOAA), bottom centre, sends the same data as GOES West but is centred over the Pacific area.

Meteosat 7 (EUMETSAT), bottom right, provides a view in the infrared range centred over the Indian Ocean.

Images with the kind authorisation of EUMETSAT (EUropean METeorological SATellites, organisation responsible for co-ordinating European weather satellites) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, American Federal Agency).