Satellite microwave radiometers have been used for over thirty years to observe the earth and derive atmospheric parameters. The number of meteorological satellites in orbit with microwave capabilities continues to increase, with new satellites featuring better spatial resolution, and wider spectral range. From the new array of radiometers, an age with multiple calibration procedures is becoming possible, and from these an effective spectral radiance shell surrounding the Earth can be constructed. A simple first step towards this goal is to compare co-temporal observations from the AMSU and TMI satellites, which provide over 25 channels of various frequencies and polarization. In this study we will present current theory and technique used in interpreting microwave imagery over the Malaysian-Indonesian region including Borneo and Sulawesi (formerly known as Celebes), emphasizing utility to forecasting. The selected area includes widely varying features including mountain terrain, rain forest, swampland, lakes, and surrounding ocean. We demonstrate and discuss how physical parameters such as soil moisture, precipitation, cloud liquid water, and total column vapor create differences in brightness temperatures across the microwave spectrum. We conclude with a preview of the future of microwave radiometry and a discussion of both vicarious and inter-sensor calibration, which are precursors to the construction and use of a spectral radiance shell surrounding the Earth.