An active atmosphere at northern latitudes contributed to the highest monthly Arctic ozone concentrations measured in the satellite era.
A lightning-ignited blaze billowed smoke into the towns and valleys near Jackson.
The storm rapidly intensified to Category 5 strength over warm gulf waters.
Published Oct 8, 2024
The active 2024 hurricane season comes to a head with several simultaneous hurricanes—an unusual sight for October.
Published Oct 7, 2024
Larch-filled forests turned from green to gold around Lake Hövsgöl in September 2024.
Published Oct 7, 2024
An astronaut photographed the atmospheric phenomenon, associated with lightning, during a stormy night over North America.
Published Oct 6, 2024
Torrential rains from Hurricane Helene swamped communities in the mountainous western part of the state.
Published Oct 4, 2024
The heavy rains, high winds, and storm surge that devastated land also left a mark on the ocean.
Published Oct 3, 2024
Once the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, the typhoon weakened and stalled off the island’s southwest coast.
Published Oct 2, 2024
Researchers concluded their 2024 field season in the Canadian territory, where they collected measurements to aid studies of high-latitude wildland fires.
Published Oct 2, 2024
The state faced widespread power outages after winds from Hurricane Helene snapped trees, tore off roofs, and toppled power lines.
Published Oct 1, 2024Image of the Day Severe Storms Human Presence Remote Sensing
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 major storm brought heavy precipitation and destructive flooding to coastal Florida and southeastern states.
Published Sep 30, 2024
Reflected sunlight highlights the water’s surface and flooded zones near Gee’s Bend.
Published Sep 30, 2024
Warm water from the Loop Current helped fuel Helene as the storm approached Florida’s Big Bend region.
Published Sep 26, 2024
The storm, which drenched coastal British Columbia and southeastern Alaska, may be among the region’s most intense in the past couple of decades.
Published Sep 26, 2024
Off the coast of southern California, a research team sails for science on the Research Vessel Blissfully.
Published Sep 24, 2024
Airborne observations will help scientists validate measurements from NASA's PACE satellite.
Published Sep 18, 2024
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.
Published Sep 17, 2024
Scientists at sea are making measurements to validate the observations from NASA's new ocean-observing satellite.
Published Sep 13, 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.
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
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.
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.
Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
Published Jul 1, 2024
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Aug 15, 2023
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.
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
