Coastal Phytoplankton on the Rise
Image of the Day May 30, 2023

Coastal Phytoplankton on the Rise

Blooms of the plant-like organisms near coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century.
A Sandy Haven in Japan
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A Sandy Haven in Japan

The shallow waters of hook-shaped Notsuke Peninsula shelter sea grass and shrimp in eastern Hokkaido.

Published May 29, 2023

Image of the Day Land

A Foggy Himalayan Morning
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A Foggy Himalayan Morning

Sunrise is an opportune time to photograph fog as it rolls through the mountain range.

Published May 28, 2023

Image of the Day Land Snow and Ice

A Boreal Forest Awakens
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A Boreal Forest Awakens

Fieldwork in interior Alaska aimed to identify when evergreen trees resumed growth and started taking up carbon.

Published May 27, 2023

Image of the Day Life Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

Typhoon Mawar
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Typhoon Mawar

The category 4 storm was one of the strongest in decades to lash the U.S. territory of Guam.

Published May 24, 2023

Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms Human Presence

A Tumultuous Spring Breakup
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A Tumultuous Spring Breakup

Rapid thawing in Alaska caused damaging river floods in May 2023.

Published May 23, 2023

Image of the Day Land Water Floods Snow and Ice

Spain Browned by Drought
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Spain Browned by Drought

Unseasonable heat and meager rainfall parched the world’s largest olive oil producing region in spring 2023.

Published May 22, 2023

Image of the Day Heat Land Drought Human Presence Remote Sensing Temperature Extremes

New Mexico’s White Sands
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New Mexico’s White Sands

A national park and a dune field occupy part of this bright-white desert landscape, which also has ties to the aerospace industry.

Published May 21, 2023

Image of the Day Land

Land Surface Temperature Anomaly
Global Maps Feb 2000 — Apr 2023

Land Surface Temperature Anomaly

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.

Heat Land

Algae in the Andes
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Algae in the Andes

Toxic blooms are becoming more frequent in Chile’s Lake Villarrica.

Published May 19, 2023

Image of the Day Water Water Color

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

Retreat at Petermann Glacier
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Retreat at Petermann Glacier

Decades of retreat are visible from above, but harder-to-see changes below the waterline could also affect this iconic glacier’s future.

Published May 19, 2023

Image of the Day Unique Imagery Snow and Ice

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 Changing Estuary Lined With Red
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A Changing Estuary Lined With Red

Satellite observations of seepweed are helping scientists track how these treasured, colorful plants are faring as coastal landscapes in northeastern China change.

Published May 19, 2023

Image of the Day Life Water

Cloud Fraction
Global Maps Feb 2000 — Apr 2023

Cloud Fraction

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.

Atmosphere

Illuminating a Boreal Forest's Spring Wake-Up
Notes from the Field

Illuminating a Boreal Forest's Spring Wake-Up

Scientists traveled to Alaska to identify the start of evergreen trees' growing season—an important indicator of a forest’s productivity.

Published May 18, 2023

Land

Total Rainfall
Global Maps Jun 2000 — Apr 2023

Total Rainfall

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.

Atmosphere

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

Summer Temperatures Arrive Early
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Summer Temperatures Arrive Early

Record-breaking heat stifled western U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Published May 17, 2023

Image of the Day Heat Land Human Presence Temperature Extremes

Smoke Fills North American Skies
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Smoke Fills North American Skies

Smoke from wildland fires caused poor air quality and hazy skies in several cities.

Published May 16, 2023

Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires

Earth at Night
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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

World of Change
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World of Change

NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.

Published Apr 29, 2009

Atmosphere Heat Land Life Human Presence Snow and Ice

Food and Agriculture
Article

Food and Agriculture

From soil conditions to crop productivity, satellite data help inform farmers, scientists, and decision-makers in the U.S. and around the world.

Published Feb 28, 2023

Land

Fire
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Jan 2023

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

Winter from the International Space Station
Article

Winter from the International Space Station

Over the years, astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory have snapped spectacular photographs of Earth’s snow and ice in both hemispheres.

Published Dec 21, 2022

Snow and Ice

EO On This Day
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EO On This Day

In honor of our site anniversary, we offer a selection of some of the most beautiful, newsworthy, interesting, and scientifically important images from 23 years online — one image for each day of the calendar year.

Published Apr 26, 2022

Atmosphere Heat Land Life Water Snow and Ice

Tournament Earth: Elemental Edition—Finals
Article

Tournament Earth: Elemental Edition—Finals

For the third time in a decade, the winner hails from the Canary Islands.

Published Mar 1, 2022

Human Presence Remote Sensing

Fall Colors Around the Planet
Article

Fall Colors Around the Planet

As green chlorophyll fades from trees and plants each autumn, other pigments color Earth’s landscapes. Satellites take leaf-peeping to a whole new level.

Published Oct 26, 2021

Land Life

Aerosol Optical Depth
Global Maps Mar 2000 — Apr 2023

Aerosol Optical Depth

Airborne aerosols can cause or prevent cloud formation and harm human health. These maps depict aerosol concentrations in the air based on how the tiny particles reflect or absorb visible and infrared light.

Atmosphere

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