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.
A phenomenon known as a “heat dome” set the stage for remarkably high temperatures as meteorological summer got under way.
Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Remote Sensing Temperature Extremes
For the second year in a row, drought has overtaken much of the United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast.
Published Jun 11, 2021
NASA plays a role in providing observations and analysis of natural and technological disasters.
Published Jun 11, 2021
Intense rains during the wet season for a second year in a row have caused trouble for riparian communities near Africa’s largest lake.
Published Jun 10, 2021
A rare winter-like storm struck central Chile and Argentina in the middle of austral summer, with drastically different consequences compared to a typical winter storm.
Published Jun 9, 2021
The millions of tons of dust lofted out of Africa each year are a visual reminder of how Earth’s systems are interconnected.
Published Jun 7, 2021
Popigai is one of the largest and most well-preserved impact craters on Earth.
Published Jun 7, 2021
Zambia’s Bangweulu wetlands make ideal hunting grounds for this distinctive bird species.
Published Jun 5, 2021
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.
These maps depict how much hotter or cooler an ocean basin was compared to the long-term average. Temperature anomalies can indicate changes in ocean circulation or the arrival of patterns like El Niño and La Niña.
Changing climate and a marine epidemic have combined to decimate one of Northern California’s most productive ecosystems.
Published Jun 4, 2021
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.
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
Recent research shows that changes in the onset of spring—both early and late—can lead to more severe asthma for some people.
Published Jun 3, 2021 in Earth Matters
The topography of Antarctic Iceberg A-76 provides insight into the strange properties of ice.
Published Jun 3, 2021
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
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Researchers are using satellite data to locate small mines that can cause long-term damage to forest communities and human health.
Published Jun 2, 2021
The “young” and well-preserved crater helps scientists understand cratering processes on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system.
Published May 31, 2021
The Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 dataset combines Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery into a seamless product.
Published May 17, 2021 in Earth Matters
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
Click to see the 2021 champion.
Published Mar 8, 2021
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
From their perch on the space station, astronauts have spent 20 years sharing a story about Earth as they see it from above. Like the directors of a film, those astronaut storytellers have a crew working behind the scenes to help them tell the story. Meet the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit.
Published Dec 1, 2020
From their home on the International Space Station, astronauts have a view unlike anything most of us will ever see. Over 20 years, they have shot millions of photographs of Earth, and it is not just a hobby. It is an important scientific job, and one they need to be trained to do. Learn more about the challenges of watching Earth from above.
Published Nov 2, 2020
