Japan’s advanced new weather satellite Himawari-8 goes into full operation

Originally published on 07 July, 2015 Sign up for a free trial of News Direct’s animated news graphics at ----------------------------------------­----------------------------------------­---------------- For story suggestions please contact tips@ 　 A Japanese weather satellite that was launched to forecast typhoon movements and heavy rainfall went into operation today. The Himawari-8 was launched into geostationary orbit in October of 2014. It can capture images much faster and at a higher resolution than its predecessor, the Himawari-7. The Himawari-8 can take pictures every two minutes and 30 seconds, compared to once every 30-minutes for the Himawari-7. The full-color images taken by the Himawari-8 will allow scientists to more easily differentiate between cloud formations and yellow sand dust clouds, and help officials make more accurate weather forecasts and prepare for dangerous weather conditions