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.
The fire has more burned more than 175 square miles in the San Gabriel Mountains since September 6, 2020.
Populations of gentoo penguins are growing, and remote sensing data are helping scientists figure out why.
Published Sep 23, 2020
The icebreaker made quick progress north owing to warm conditions and thin, fragmented sea ice.
Published Sep 23, 2020 in Notes From the Field
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of heavy rain and strong winds across the region, as well as large, destructive waves.
Published Sep 22, 2020
The Arctic sea ice extent continues its long-term downward trend.
Published Sep 22, 2020Image of the Day Heat Land Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing
The waters off of Newfoundland were colored by coccolithophore blooms for two months.
Published Sep 21, 2020
Clouds trace the islands and color variations trace the seafloor.
Published Sep 18, 2020
Satellites tracked smoke from wildfires as it spanned the continental United States and followed winds around two hurricanes.
Published Sep 17, 2020Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Water Fires Remote Sensing
A wetter-than-usual rainy season in Sudan has devastated communities across the country.
Published Sep 17, 2020
Drought-parched wetlands in South America have been burning for weeks.
Published Sep 17, 2020
The slow-moving hurricane is predicted to produce life-threatening flash floods and storm surges.
Published Sep 15, 2020
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has broken many records so far, and the season still has two months to go.
Published Sep 14, 2020
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.
Satellite data is helping scientists size up one of the most intense outbreaks of fire and smoke that Oregon and California have seen in decades.
Published Sep 11, 2020Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing
Carved out by ancient glaciers, this portion of the coastal Andes is rich with glacial fjords, complex shorelines, active volcanoes, and marine life.
Published Sep 11, 2020
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.
School is starting and NASA’s Earth Observatory has resources for children and teachers!
Published Sep 9, 2020 in Earth Matters
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is off to an extremely active start.
Published Aug 31, 2020 in Earth Matters
It is the largest estuary in the United States and third largest in the world. Once sculpted and changed by ice, water, and powerful geologic forces over tens of millions of years, today's Bay is shaped by human forces as well.
Published Dec 1, 2016
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
After five rounds and 56,000 votes, the readers have chosen their favorite. We have a Tournament Earth 2020 champion.
Published Apr 28, 2020
Vote for your favorite all-time Earth Observatory image. Help narrow the field from 32 nominees down to one champion in a five-round tournament.
Published Mar 26, 2020Atmosphere Land Life Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing Videos
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.
