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Astronauts and much of Earth’s population had a chance to view a coppery “Blood Moon” during a total lunar eclipse in September 2025.
The tropical cyclones are close enough in proximity that they may influence one another.
The colossal project created a valuable connection between the U.S. interior and the Atlantic Ocean when it opened in October 1825.
Published Sep 29, 2025
A Gulf Coast storm followed by snowmelt in January 2025 temporarily increased the Mississippi River’s outflow, sending a surge of sediment through the delta and into gulf waters.
Published Sep 28, 2025
In late September 2025, a continued lack of rainfall led to stunted vegetation, lowered water levels, and prompted early fall foliage.
Published Sep 26, 2025
The Guiana Shield’s rugged terrain shapes Guyana’s waterways, but mining has altered their clarity.
Published Sep 26, 2025
After a long, turbulent journey, Antarctic Iceberg A-23A is signaling its demise as it floats in the South Atlantic.
Published Sep 25, 2025
The super typhoon headed for Guangdong province after lashing Taiwan and northern Luzon in the Philippines.
Published Sep 23, 2025
Hillsides in Alaska’s interior showed their changing colors ahead of the autumnal equinox.
Published Sep 23, 2025
Satellite data show decades of gradual but persistent change to forests around one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s largest cities.
Published Sep 22, 2025
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.
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.
Sediment from the riverbed, especially during periods of higher flow, helps shape the surrounding beaches and sandbars.
Published Sep 21, 2025
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.
Satellite data show that Arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent on September 10, 2025.
Published Sep 19, 2025
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
Another major tributary reached the Australian outback lake in 2025, extending the months-long flood of the vast, ephemeral inland sea.
Published Sep 17, 2025
Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
Published Jul 1, 2024
These maps depict anomalies in land surface temperatures (LSTs); that is, how much hotter or cooler a region was compared to the long-term average. LST anomalies can indicate heat waves or cold spells.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
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
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
