Pacific Tic-Tac-Toe
Image of the Day Dec 29, 2021

Pacific Tic-Tac-Toe

The lines over the ocean may resemble a game, but in fact they are a relatively common atmospheric feature.
Saguaro National Park
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Saguaro National Park

This Arizona national park was founded to protect the saguaro cactus, a keystone species of the Sonoran Desert and an iconic symbol of the Southwest, where the climate is becoming warmer and drier.

Published Dec 28, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Cold Case File: Death in the Arctic
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Cold Case File: Death in the Arctic

Through the use of remotely sensed data, scientists were able to understand the mysterious deaths of caribou in Canada and reindeer in the Bering Sea islands.

Published Dec 27, 2021

Image of the Day Land Life Snow and Ice

Otherworldly Earth
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Otherworldly Earth

The Libyan Desert is often cited as a Mars analogue.

Published Dec 26, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Seeing Suomi
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Seeing Suomi

Reindeer, indigenous people, and modern meteorology converge in a winter scene from Scandinavia.

Published Dec 25, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Human Presence Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

Caribou on the Move
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Caribou on the Move

Herd migration remains mostly an “unexplained and unexplainable mystery.”

Published Dec 24, 2021

Image of the Day Land Life Remote Sensing

Reindeer as Ecosystem Engineers?
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Reindeer as Ecosystem Engineers?

Herding could help curb Arctic greening and shrubification caused by climate change.

Published Dec 23, 2021

Image of the Day Land Life Snow and Ice

Grazing with Iceland’s Reindeer
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Grazing with Iceland’s Reindeer

While efforts to raise domesticated reindeer on the island failed, herds of wild reindeer prosper in East Iceland.

Published Dec 22, 2021

Image of the Day Land Life

EO December Puzzler
Earth Matters

EO December Puzzler

Can you figure out where and what this is on Earth?

Published Dec 21, 2021

Blue Marble Next Generation
Article

Blue Marble Next Generation

12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.

Published Oct 13, 2005

Atmosphere Land Water Snow and Ice

South Sudan Submerged
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South Sudan Submerged

Three extreme rainy seasons in a row have pushed rivers and wetlands to heights not seen in decades.

Published Dec 20, 2021

Image of the Day Water

The Braided Paraná
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The Braided Paraná

South America’s second-longest river forms part of the border between Argentina and Paraguay.

Published Dec 19, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water

NASA-Sponsored GLOBE Education Program Wins Award
Earth Matters

NASA-Sponsored GLOBE Education Program Wins Award

Launched on Earth Day in 1995, the program connects scientists, teachers and students in 126 countries with hands-on scientific activities.

Published Dec 17, 2021

How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies
Article

How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies

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

Remote Sensing

Total Rainfall
Global Maps Jan 1998 — Aug 2016

Total Rainfall

These maps depict monthly total rainfall around the world. Rainfall is the primary source of fresh water for humans, plants, and animals. Rain also moves heat between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.

Atmosphere

Super Typhoon Rai
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Super Typhoon Rai

Locally named Odette, the storm was one of the strongest recorded on Earth this year and the sixth to reach category 5.

Published Dec 16, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Human Presence

Earth at Night
Article

Earth at Night

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

Atmosphere Land Human Presence Remote Sensing

Vegetation
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Nov 2021

Vegetation

Greenness is an important indicator of health for forests, grasslands, and farms. The greenness of a landscape, or vegetation index, depends on the number and type of plants, how leafy they are, and how healthy they are.

Land Life

Mission: Biomes
Article

Mission: Biomes

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

Land Life

Cloud Fraction
Global Maps Feb 2000 — Nov 2021

Cloud Fraction

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.

Atmosphere

Derecho Sweeps Across Midwest
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Derecho Sweeps Across Midwest

Hurricane-force winds, dust storms, tornadoes, wildfires, snow squalls, heavy rain, and record-breaking heat accompanied an unusual December storm system.

Published Dec 16, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Remote Sensing

Nighttime Images Detail Kentucky Blackout
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Nighttime Images Detail Kentucky Blackout

Tornadoes and severe winds knocked out power to Mayfield and surrounding towns.

Published Dec 15, 2021

Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Human Presence Remote Sensing

Five Years and Counting - Happy Birthday to the CYGNSS Octuplets!
Notes from the Field

Five Years and Counting - Happy Birthday to the CYGNSS Octuplets!

Published Dec 15, 2021

Hitch a Virtual Ride on a Sounding Rocket
Earth Matters

Hitch a Virtual Ride on a Sounding Rocket

A project developed by community college students is providing the opportunity for the public to see Earth from the perspective of a small rocket in flight.

Published Dec 10, 2021

Falling for the Colors
Article

Falling for the Colors

As green chlorophyll fades from trees and plants each autumn, other pigments color the Earth’s landscapes. Satellites take leaf-peeping to a whole new level.

Published Oct 26, 2021

Land Life

Net Primary Productivity
Global Maps Feb 2000 — Nov 2016

Net Primary Productivity

These maps show the ‘metabolism” of Earth’s plants and trees. Net primary productivity is the difference between the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed during photosynthesis minus the amount released by respiration.

Land Life

Tournament Earth: The Landsat Games
Article

Tournament Earth: The Landsat Games

50 Years. 9 million scenes. One champion.

Published Sep 7, 2021

Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

Snow Cover
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Nov 2021

Snow Cover

Snow and ice influence climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. When it melts, snow is a source of water for drinking and vegetation; too much snowmelt can lead to floods. These maps show average snow cover by month.

Snow and Ice

World of Change
Article

World of Change

NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.

Published Apr 29, 2009

Atmosphere Heat Land Life Human Presence Snow and Ice

NASA Earth Observatory Goes to the Beach
Article

NASA Earth Observatory Goes to the Beach

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

Land Videos

A Celebration of Clouds: From Space, Earth Has an Elegant Atmosphere
Article

A Celebration of Clouds: From Space, Earth Has an Elegant Atmosphere

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

Atmosphere Remote Sensing

Land Surface Temperature
Global Maps Feb 2000 — Nov 2021

Land Surface Temperature

Land surface temperatures rise and fall with the heat of the Sun, and they represent how hot or cold the surface would feel to touch. These maps show daytime land temperatures as measured from space.

Heat Land

Earth — A Photo-Essay
Article

Earth — A Photo-Essay

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

Atmosphere Land Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing