The Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) instrument, mounted on the Nimbus-7 satellite, measured thermal infrared emissions from Earth's limb at six bands: 6.2, 6.3, 9.6, 11.3, and two at 15 µm. LIMS measured the chemistry of the upper atmosphere, tracking water vapor, nitric acid, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. The instrument operated successfully from October 25, 1978, to May 28, 1979.