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GOES-16 Satellite Shows Earth In Crystal Clear Images

They're more than just pretty pictures — they're revolutionary.

Incredible.

A new satellite launched by NOAA, U.S.'s environmental research agency, sent back some of the clearest photos captured of planet Earth.

The GOES-16 satellite, sent into space in November 2016, has the ability to capture full-disk photos of Earth every 15 minutes with its Advanced Baseline Imager instrument (ABI).

Click the images below for a closer look.

The "game-changer" satellite serves an important purpose.

"The image is much more than a pretty picture, it is the future of weather observations and forecasting," said Louis W. Uccellini, the director of NOAA.

The satellite's quick image-capturing abilities allow it to target regional areas where severe weather such as hurricanes may be approaching, in as quickly as 30 seconds.

It's revolutionary for meteorologists, who can zoom into active areas with a clearer focus than before — and potentially life-saving at times of natural disaster.

Watch the video above for more images from the satellite, and click here for even more.

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