Hints of a Recent Eruption
Image of the Day Feb 21, 2021

Hints of a Recent Eruption

Photographing an ongoing volcanic eruption anywhere on Earth is a matter of luck for most astronauts, but Kamchatka provides its share of opportunities.
Tracing Changes in Ozone-Depleting Chemicals
Image

Tracing Changes in Ozone-Depleting Chemicals

Scientists used a ground-based network and models to detect global and regional fluctuations in CFC-11 emissions to the atmosphere.

Published Feb 19, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Human Presence Remote Sensing

Saharan Dust Heading for Europe
Image

Saharan Dust Heading for Europe

A substantial dust plume drifted over the Atlantic Ocean, with some of the airborne grains steering toward the northeast.

Published Feb 18, 2021

Image of the Day Land Dust and Haze

The Red Comb
Image

The Red Comb

The Namib Desert bears a scar from a meteorite impact.

Published Feb 18, 2021

Image of the Day Land

What a Lake in Turkey Can Tell Us about Mars
Earth Matters

What a Lake in Turkey Can Tell Us about Mars

By studying Lake Salda, researchers gained a better understanding of the potential microbial and geological processes at Jezero Crater.

Published Feb 17, 2021 in Earth Matters

Land

EO February 2021 Puzzler
Earth Matters

EO February 2021 Puzzler

Every month we offer a puzzling satellite image. Your challenge is to tell us what we are looking at, where it is, and why it is interesting.

Published Feb 16, 2021 in Earth Matters

Extreme Winter Weather Causes U.S. Blackouts
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Extreme Winter Weather Causes U.S. Blackouts

Texas and other central states set records for cold temperatures during a persistent blast of arctic air.

Published Feb 16, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Human Presence Remote Sensing

Abundant Rain Turns Namibia Green
Image

Abundant Rain Turns Namibia Green

The landscape has been transformed by the wettest rainy season since 2011.

Published Feb 16, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing

Bright Aurora, Below Freezing
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Bright Aurora, Below Freezing

In early February, fast solar winds brought beautiful northern lights to North America and Europe.

Published Feb 13, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing

Antarctic Icebergs Galore
Image

Antarctic Icebergs Galore

The many pieces of Antarctic iceberg A-68 continue to drift near South Georgia Island.

Published Feb 12, 2021

Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice

Winter Along the Niagara River
Image

Winter Along the Niagara River

The fast-flowing river cuts through a snowy landscape as it flows toward Lake Ontario.

Published Feb 12, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms Human Presence

A Watery Day for Lake Lefroy
Image

A Watery Day for Lake Lefroy

Spectacular patterns emerged as stormwater pooled on the salt crust of this ephemeral lake in Western Australia.

Published Feb 12, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water Drought Fires Temperature Extremes

Chlorophyll
Global Maps Jul 2002 — Nov 2020

Chlorophyll

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.

Life Water

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

A Short Journey to the Center of the Earth
Image

A Short Journey to the Center of the Earth

A geologist’s dream, Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places where you can set foot on the Earth's mantle without digging an inch.

Published Feb 12, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Aerosol Size
Global Maps Jan 2005 — Sep 2016

Aerosol Size

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.

Atmosphere

Vegetation
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Dec 2020

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

A Checkup for Carbon
Earth Matters

A Checkup for Carbon

Every year, a group of scientists affiliated with the Global Carbon Project give Earth something like an annual checkup.

Published Feb 11, 2021 in Earth Matters

Climate Indicators Atmosphere

Keeping a Close Eye on the Storm: Hurricanes
EO Kids

Keeping a Close Eye on the Storm: Hurricanes

Learn all about how satellites track storms – from formation, landfall, and the aftermath

Published Feb 11, 2021 in EO Kids

Water Vapor
Global Maps Jul 2002 — Dec 2020

Water Vapor

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.

Atmosphere

Ice Age Carolinas
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Ice Age Carolinas

There are hundreds of thousands of oval depressions dotting the Atlantic coastal plain—relicts of a cooler, drier, windier time.

Published Feb 11, 2021

Image of the Day Land Remote Sensing

Bolts of Blue
Image

Bolts of Blue

Cameras and sensors on the International Space Station have been helping scientists to characterize the natural light shows produced at the tops of thunderstorms.

Published Feb 10, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing

Fire
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Dec 2020

Fire

Whether started by humans (farming, logging, or accidents) or by nature (lightning), fires are always burning somewhere on Earth. These maps show the locations of fires burning around the world each month.

Land

Help Us Choose the Best Photos
Earth Matters

Help Us Choose the Best Photos

More than 1,000 astronaut photos have been published on EO. Help us choose the best in our archives.

Published Feb 6, 2021 in Earth Matters

What in the World Are Moon Trees?
Earth Matters

What in the World Are Moon Trees?

Fifty years ago, the Apollo astronauts carried some souvenirs from Earth to the Moon, and then brought them back.

Published Feb 2, 2021 in Earth Matters

The Marvels of Banks Island
Earth Matters

The Marvels of Banks Island

Ten photos reveal the compelling features across this remote part of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Published Jan 27, 2021 in Earth Matters

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

Picturing Earth: Behind the Scenes
Article

Picturing Earth: Behind the Scenes

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

Human Presence Remote Sensing Videos

Picturing Earth: Window On The World
Article

Picturing Earth: Window On The World

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

Human Presence Remote Sensing Videos

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

Could COVID-19 Have Seasons? Searching for Signals in Earth Data
Article

Could COVID-19 Have Seasons? Searching for Signals in Earth Data

A race is on to figure out whether COVID-19 will wax and wane with the seasons. Atmospheric and hydrologic models produced by NASA and other institutions may be key to that research.

Published Jul 14, 2020

Atmosphere Life Human Presence Remote Sensing

Of Mosquitoes and Models: Tracking Disease by Satellite
Article

Of Mosquitoes and Models: Tracking Disease by Satellite

A few decades ago, the idea of predicting a disease outbreak via satellite was science fiction. But today, researchers can use environmental data to predict when and where some diseases are likely to spread.

Published Jul 9, 2020

Life Human Presence Remote Sensing

Applied Sciences Collection
Article

Applied Sciences Collection

NASA satellites and sensors constantly take the pulse of our planet. Researchers apply those observations on local and regional scales to better manage things like food and water supplies, health, safety, land use, and ecosystems.

Published May 1, 2020

Human Presence Remote Sensing

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