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Watch This Hypnotizing Video of Rare Twin Typhoons in the Pacific

2 minute read
By Tanya Basu

Prepare to be enthralled: a Japanese satellite has captured twin typhoons—that’s Goni on the left, Atsani on the right—swirling simultaneously for the first time since October, 1997.

The stunning images come courtesy of Japan’s new weather satellite, the Himawari-8, currently coasting about 22,000 miles above the Pacific. The video is able to capture the typhoon’s movement especially well because the Himawari-8 is snapping photos every ten minutes. U.S. weather satellites take shots every three hours, and at half the resolution.

The twin typhoons are a weather oddity—it’s the first time in about 18 years that twin typhoons have been observed. Incidentally, 1997 is known for hosting a particularly strong El Niño (we’re in the middle of another El Niño now), which tends to lead to typhoons in the central Pacific, according to Eric Holthaus, a meteorologist who writes for Slate. The stronger storms lead to stronger El Niño effects, leading to “a feedback loop of sorts,” Holthaus writes.

Goni might make landfall near the Philippines, Taiwan, or Japan over the next week or so. Atsani is so far not expected to affect any country.

See the Astronomical League's Most Beautiful Photos from 2014

Rosette nebula, NGC 2237, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 6, 2014.
The Rosette nebula, also known as NGC 2237 or Caldwell 49, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 6, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula, also known as IC 1396, on April 14, 2014.
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula, also known as IC 1396, on April 14, 2014.Eric Coles
The Pleiades, also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters, imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 25, 2014.
The Pleiades, also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters, imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 25, 2014.Joel Tonyan
Andromeda Galaxy (M31), imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 19, 2014,
Andromeda Galaxy (M31), imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 19, 2014, Joel Tonyan
A time lapse showing star trails above Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, Fla., on March 30, 2014.
A time lapse showing star trails above Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, Fla., on March 30, 2014.Kenny Alexander
Eta Aquarid meteors above Bryce Canyon in Utah, in May 2014.
Eta Aquarid meteors above Bryce Canyon in Utah, in May 2014.David Lane
The Orion Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Feb. 7, 2014.
The Orion Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Feb. 7, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.
A star-forming nebula in Gemini, in January 2014.
A star-forming nebula in Gemini, in January 2014.Brian Peterson
Propeller Nebula in Cygnus, also known as DWB111, on May 1, 2014.
Propeller Nebula in Cygnus, also known as DWB111, on May 1, 2014.Eric Coles
The Milky Way, taken from Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.
The Milky Way, taken from Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.Kenny Alexander
An aircraft turns over the night sky with the Milky Way in the background above Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2014.
An aircraft turns over the night sky with the Milky Way in the background above Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2014.Matt Jylha
Pelican Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 9, 2014.
Pelican Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 9, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.
The Horsehead nebula, also known as Barnard 33 in emission nebula IC 434, taken at Seneca and Oswego in Illinois, Feb.-March 2014
The Horsehead nebula, also known as Barnard 33 in emission nebula IC 434, taken at Seneca and Oswego in Illinois, Feb.-March 2014Martin Hrdlicka
A panorama of the Milky Way taken from Fall Creek Falls State Park during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 4, 2014.
A panorama of the Milky Way taken from Fall Creek Falls State Park during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 4, 2014.Matt Harbison
The Rosette nebula, also known as NGC 2237 or Caldwell 49, taken from Seneca, Ill., in March 2014.
The Rosette nebula, also known as NGC 2237 or Caldwell 49, taken from Seneca, Ill., in March 2014.Martin Hrdlicka
The Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457, taken at the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys on March 1, 2014.
The Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457, taken at the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys on March 1, 2014.Richard S. Wright Jr.
The Milky Way with Venus rising at Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.
The Milky Way with Venus rising at Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.Kenny Alexander
Waxing Moon over Winter Garden, Fla., on Feb. 10, 2014
Waxing Moon over Winter Garden, Fla., on Feb. 10, 2014Matt Jylha

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Write to Tanya Basu at tanya.basu@time.com