Scientists are beginning to unravel what comes next, after the ice moves out and vegetation moves in.
Late-November snowfall blanketed large portions of the country and deposited record-breaking accumulations in Seoul.
Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Snow and Ice Temperature Extremes
Two decades of satellite data show that the most destructive U.S. fires burn in grasslands and shrublands fanned by strong winds.
Published Dec 12, 2024
The rugged chain of islands is home to thousands of sheep and known for its white sand beaches.
Published Dec 11, 2024
A lunette dune fringing this dried Australian lake preserves relics from ancient times, while today’s grazing patterns create sharp visible contrasts on the land.
Published Dec 10, 2024
Satellite observations at night indicate that oil, gas, and mining have expanded across Earth’s northern latitudes.
Published Dec 9, 2024
An astronaut’s sweeping nighttime photograph of Namibia and South Africa reveals the region’s lighted communities, many of which are centered around mining.
Published Dec 8, 2024
Fire activity in the South American nation was remarkably intense and widespread in 2024.
Published Dec 7, 2024
The southern California reservoir refilled from historic lows after two above-average years of rain.
Published Dec 6, 2024
The iconic trees and shrubs of the Florida Everglades are under increased stress due to more frequent, intense hurricanes.
Published Dec 5, 2024
Colorful swirls of water reveal the presence of phytoplankton in the South Atlantic Ocean near the Falkland Islands.
Published Dec 4, 2024
These maps show the average amount of water vapor in a column of atmosphere by month. Water vapor is the key precursor for rain and snow and one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Perth, the only city along the country’s western coastline with more than 1 million people, displays widespread urban infrastructure alongside the Swan and Canning rivers.
Published Dec 1, 2024
Lake water has quickly filled the void left by a trio of retreating glaciers in the southern part of the state.
Published Nov 28, 2024
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
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
Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.
Published Nov 19, 2024
Sea salt, volcanic ash, dust, wildfire smoke, and industrial pollution are types of airborne aerosols. Natural aerosols tend to be larger than human-made aerosols. These maps show when and where aerosols come from nature, humans, or both.
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.
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.
Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
Published Jul 1, 2024
Chlorophyll is used by algae and other phytoplankton--the grass of the sea--to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into sugars. These maps show chlorophyll concentrations in the ocean, revealing where phytoplankton are thriving.
People have developed systems to harvest and store energy from sources such as wind, sunlight, and tidal action. Many of these installations are visible from orbit.
Published May 10, 2024
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 ground-level ozone to particulate matter to nitrogen dioxide, an array of gasses and particles can affect the air people breathe, with implications for human health.
Published Apr 8, 2024
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Mar 26, 2024
Whether sparked by lightning, intentional land-clearing, or human-caused accidents, wildland fires are burning longer and more often in some areas as the world warms.
Published Feb 27, 2024
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Aug 15, 2023
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.
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
