NOAA receives first lightning images from GOES-16 satellite

GOES-16 satellite shows lightning

This image shows the rays that the GLM captured during one hour on February 14, 2017. Image - NOAA

The lightning bolts seen from Earth are impressive, but ... can you imagine being able to see them from space? Now that dream can come true, only that instead of being in an astronaut spacecraft we can enjoy the images without having to leave home thanks to the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) that goes on board the GOES-16 satellite of NOAA.

Thanks to these images, meteorologists will be able to predict in a much easier way where lightning and lightning will strike.

The GLM is an instrument designed to detect times in a geostationary orbit that transmits data that, until now, had not been available to scientists. The mapper incessantly looks for any flash in the Western Hemisphere, which will help detect storms.

If there is heavy rain, the data obtained will show whether the storms are losing strength or, on the contrary, intensifying. These data will be combined with other data obtained by radar and other satellites, and will be very useful information to anticipate severe weather., and to issue alerts and notices with more time in advance.

Lightning seen by satellite

This GLM animation shows lightning associated with a system that produced severe thunderstorms and some tornadoes in Texas on February 14, 2017. Image - NOAA

The GLM is also capable of detecting lightning in the cloud, which often takes at least five minutes to hit the ground. That may not seem like a long time, but it is crucial to alert all those who are doing outdoor activities of the formation of the storm and thus avoid possible damage.

If you want to know more about the GOES-16 satellite, Click here.


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