NOAA Just Released Amazing Photos Of Earth From Its New Satellite

A new weather satellite took these breathtaking images of Earth, and the world is seeing them for the first time.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite, which is currently called GOES-16, launched in November 2016.

It orbits more than 22,000 miles above the planet. And NOAA is pretty excited about what it's captured so far.

The agency called the images "the latest step in a new age of weather satellites. It will be like high-definition from the heavens."

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But GOES-16 will do a whole lot more than snapping awesome pics when it's fully running.

Part of the satellite's mission is taking images of severe storms up to every 30 seconds. Those images will help NOAA make more accurate and reliable weather forecasts.

Beyond helping with weather forecasts, GOES-16 will also help make seasonal predictions, like drought outlooks, provide long-term climate data and help monitor for satellite-damaging solar flares from the sun.

A spokesperson for NOAA's satellite division says the GOES-16 won't be fully operational until November.