The Fengyun 2 meteorological satellite, launched by China last month, sent back its first infrared and water vapor nephograms, or cloud pictures, Thursday, according to Friday's Wenhui Daily.
The satellite, projected into orbit on June 25, started operation early this month and has sent back visible light cloud pictures to the State Satellite Meteorological Center.
The three detection wave bands of visible light, infrared ray and water vapor enable the satellite to conduct around-the-clock monitoring of China's climate, marine temperatures, atmosphere, snow cover, fires, sand and dust storms and the El Nino phenomenon.
Zhan Lishan, a researcher with the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the infrared ray and water vapor detection can be used at night and in cloudy and rainy conditions.
The Fengyun 2 meteorological satellite, launched by China last month, sent back its first infrared and water vapor nephograms, or cloud pictures, Thursday, according to Friday's Wenhui Daily.