We started with 32, and now there are four. May the image wavelengths be ever in their favor.
Flash floods occur when persistent heavy rain causes small creeks, channels, and streams to swell rapidly.
Atmosphere Land Water Floods Severe Storms Human Presence Remote Sensing
Though 36 years old, this photo remains one of the best for demonstrating vast inland delta landscapes.
Published Aug 29, 2021
Several filmmakers have used the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum as a stand-in for the Red Planet.
Published Aug 28, 2021
Katherine Johnson rose above racial struggles to help America rise into space.
Published Aug 26, 2021
The eruption of an underwater volcano near South Iwo Jima sent a plume soaring into flight paths and created an expansive raft of floating rock.
Published Aug 25, 2021
Intense rain fell on Northeast U.S. soils that were already saturated.
Published Aug 24, 2021Image of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Remote Sensing
The August 2021 puzzler is out. Your challenge is to use the comments section to tell us what we are looking at, where it is, and why it is interesting.
Published Aug 24, 2021 in Earth Matters
Strings of light emanate from the Imperial Palace in the city’s center and follow the expressway system outward.
Published Aug 23, 2021
The strengthening storm could reach southern New England with hurricane or near-hurricane strength winds.
Published Aug 20, 2021Image of the Day Heat Land Water Severe Storms Human Presence
What do you do when presented with a new satellite image? Here's what the Earth Observatory team does to understand the view.
Published Nov 18, 2013
When fuels such as coal, wood, and oil burn incompletely, they produce carbon monoxide. The gas is spread by winds and circulation. These maps show monthly averages of CO in the lower atmosphere.
Several destructive fires have charred landscapes in northern California, and their emissions are adding up.
Published Aug 20, 2021
Net radiation is the balance between incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere. It is the total energy available to influence climate after light and heat are reflected, absorbed, or emitted by clouds and land.
The summer season is a prime time to observe colorful displays of phytoplankton in the Labrador and Barents seas.
Published Aug 20, 2021
With multiple storms offshore and smoke streaming over the continent, there has been plenty for satellites and scientists to track in recent days.
Published Aug 18, 2021
The island’s vast ice sheet underwent multiple bouts of widespread melting this summer, exacerbated in August 2021 by rain.
Published Aug 18, 2021Image of the Day Heat Land Floods Severe Storms Snow and Ice Remote Sensing
Low water levels are due to recent trends in precipitation and long-term trends in consumption by humans.
Published Aug 17, 2021Image of the Day Land Water Drought Human Presence Remote Sensing
Ocean temperatures can influence weather, such as hurricane formation, and climate patterns, such as El Niño. These maps show the temperature at the surface of the world’s seas and oceans.
Summer is beach season in the northern hemisphere. But even if you're a regular at your local swimming hole, you probably haven't seen too many beaches from this perspective. See the satellite and space-station views of various shorelines from across the United States. No sunblock necessary.
Published Jul 22, 2021
Clouds can be a nuisance when scientists are trying to observe features on Earth's surface. But at other times, clouds are exactly what they want to see. These images highlight some of the more unusual and beautiful clouds observed in recent years from space.
Published Jun 21, 2021
These maps depict anomalies in land surface temperatures (LSTs); that is, how much hotter or cooler a region was compared to the long-term average. LST anomalies can indicate heat waves or cold spells.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a different part of the world? What would the weather be like? What kinds of animals would you see? Which plants live there? By investigating these questions, you are learning about biomes.
Published Aug 28, 2020
In addition to making rain and snow, clouds can have a warming or cooling influence depending on their altitude, type, and when they form. These maps show what fraction of an area was cloudy each month.
Since 1999, Earth Observatory has published images and stories from all over our planet. Now you can explore more than 11,000 images in a different way: by location.
Published Jun 2, 2021
NASA has a unique vantage point for observing the beauty and wonder of Earth and for making sense of it. The images in this book tell a story of a 4.5-billion-year-old planet where there is always something new to see.
Published Apr 28, 2021
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
Airborne aerosols can cause or prevent cloud formation and harm human health. These maps depict aerosol concentrations in the air based on how the tiny particles reflect or absorb visible and infrared light.
For 20 years, astronauts have been shooting photos of Earth from the space station. Like everything the astronauts do, they are trained for this job. And like everything they do, there is purpose and intention behind it.
Published Feb 8, 2021
Satellite images of Earth at night have been a curiosity for the public and a tool of fundamental research for at least 25 years. They have provided a broad, beautiful picture, showing how humans have shaped the planet and lit up the darkness.
Published Apr 12, 2017
