One of the key instruments of the current POES MetOp-B system is the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/4).  HIRS/4 senses within 20 channels ranging from visible bands (0.69 micron wavelength), to long wave infrared (14.96 microns wavelength), to sense variation of temperature, humidity, and pressures within the atmosphere[1].  The data collected from HIRS/4 is collaboratively used with the Advanced Microwave Sounding Instrument (AMSU) to advance research in sea surface temperatures, cloud coverage analysis, ozone concentrations and earth's radiance[1]

  1. ^ a b ". . . P O E S . . ". poes.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-15.