For straight ahead, there are some night vision systems on the market that use a camera that sees reflectedinfrared light, to detect warm bodies like pedestrians or deer that would otherwise be invisible.
The infrared light that is reflected by a plant shows how efficiently photosynthesis occurs in that plant and can provide insight into its general health.
In addition to its weather-watching mission and collection of climate records, MSG-3 has a radiation sensor to measures the amount of solar and infrared energy that is reflected back into space, to better understand climate processes.