Since its launch on the web in April 1999, NASA Earth Observatory has published more than 15,500 image-driven stories about our planet. In celebration of our 20th anniversary — as well as the 50th anniversary of Earth Day — we want you to help us choose our all-time best image.
For now, we need you to help us brainstorm: what images or stories would you nominate as the best in the Earth Observatory collection? Do you go for the most beautiful and iconic view of our home? the most newsworthy? the most scientifically important? the most inspiring?
Search our site and then post the URLs of your favorite Earth images in the comments section below. Please send your ideas by March 17.
In late March 2020, we will include some of your selections in Tournament Earth, a head-to-head contest to vote for the best of the best from our archives. Each week, readers will pick from pairs of images as we narrow down the field from 32 nominees to one champion.
The all-time best Earth Observatory image will be announced on April 29, 2020, the end of our anniversary year.
If you want some inspiration as you begin your search, take a look at the galleries listed below. Or use our search tool (top left) to find your favorite places, images, and events.
Tags: anniversary, archive, Earth, Earth Day, NASA, NASAEO20, satellites, tournament
I definitely like picture 1 – A View of Earth from Saturn.
It makes you gasp and leaves you breathless.
I’d like to nominate this photo of the Moon passing between the camera and the Earth. It was the Image of the Day on August 15, 2015.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86353/the-dark-side-and-the-bright-side
I was about to nominate this image then saw it already as a nominee. I think it’s beautifully fascinating and use it as a screen saver. Imagining how often this view has been provided for us to see here on earth is reason enough to make it awe inspiring.
I suggest under “World of Change” the changing sea ice in the Arctic or Antarctic. I think global warming is the overriding problem of current times.
I would like to support: “Under “World of Change” the changing sea ice in the Arctic or Antarctic. I think global warming is the overriding problem of current times”.
Thank you very much for sharing all that wonderful content.
Earth matter!
I have enjoyed the Earth Observing site for years. All the images are great and each tells a great story. Keep it up, We are out here enjoying the trip
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/7000/7314/saturn_cas_lrg.jpg
A view of earth from Saturn
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/03/ipcc_bluemarble.jpg
Just does it, totally (wake up every molecule in my body).
A Pale Blue Dot
Carl Sagan: “Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”
The most profound image and message I have seen and heard. God Bless Carl Sagan.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87233/earthrise-reimagined
Auroras light up the Antarctic night
The photo was too cool to believe!
My nominees:
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146322/antarctica-melts-under-its-hottest-days-on-record
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/earth-book-2019#pages-46
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/earth-book-2019#pages-15
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/earth-book-2019#pages-42
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/earth-book-2019#pages-40
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/89491/earth-and-moon-from-mars
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87233/earthrise-reimagined
I nominate
Warm Weather Brings Major Melting to Greenland
from approximately 20 2019. Climate change is the
most critical crisis of our time — and future. Presenting
the evidence visually is very convincing to any
clear-thinking person — in my opinion.
A story and picture that shows hope for the future rather than dread…
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146296/global-green-up-slows-warming
How can one choose amongst so many? Your pictures have taught, informed, pleased, and marvelled. They have confirmed what the old mapmakers drew which is surprising but shouldn’t be. I love maps and what your pictures show me. Please keep on,
Carol
I agree with Carol, how can you pick one from so many fantastic shots of our home, planet Earth. As a climatologist I despair at times when I see the exploitation and destruction we are causing. Our summer bush fire conflagration in Eastern Australia is too horrible to contemplate.
Congratulation EO!
On the right place at the rigth time!
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86353/the-dark-side-and-the-bright-side
Earth -The Blue Marble is my choice :amazing and spectacular views of our home planet .Unique and magical dance of colours
Mihaela
https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/57723/the-blue-marble
I also like the DSCOVR perspective of the Earth/Moon system. It shows how dark the moon really is because it’s the only time we see it against a background that is not pitch black.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86353/the-dark-side-and-the-bright-side
Other unique perspectives I like are the reimagined Earth rise from lunar orbit and the Cassini view from the far-side of Saturn, but that should really be disqualified as an “Earth Observatory” scene, because it is more about the beauty of Saturn’s rings.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/7314/a-view-of-earth-from-saturn
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/7000/7264/iceland_tmo_2006324_lrg.jpg
I used to collect the images but not anymore. I think this is a fantastic resource, both astronomical pictures and sky/cloud pictures are very much appreciated.
I LIKE THESE ONES I AM GONNA ADD MORE
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/blackmarble/media/BlackMarble_2016_EuroAfrica_composite.png
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/41000/41052/ISS020-E-047807_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/144000/144427/AS08-14-2383_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/145000/145363/iss059e067875_lrg.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKeW6CgWoAIl9pC?format=jpg&name=large https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKeW5tAW4AABOwp?format=jpg&name=900×900 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKbZX3PX0AEx4oU?format=jpg&name=900×900
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/86000/86865/global_epc_2015294_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/52000/52248/seasons_msg_20110621_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/46000/46209/earth_pacific_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/82000/82910/SierraNevada_tmo_2013018_lrg.jpg
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/resources/blogs/earthday_day_lrg.jpg
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/resources/blogs/earthday_night_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/144000/144643/gulfoffinland_oli_2018199_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/79000/79803/earth_night_rotate_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/90000/90008/italy_vir_2016_lrg.jpg
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/90000/90008/asia_vir_2016_lrg.png
I enjoyed the article on plume height of Kilauea.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/92140/probing-kilaueas-plume
Hello EO! There are a lot of stupendous images, but I would choose the classic earthrise from Apollo 8
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/144000/144427/AS08-14-2383_lrg.jpg
Why? It is the picture which first revealed to our species the Earth’s perspective in space. It showed, and still shows, how fragile and finite our true and only global home is, and therefore how urgent is the need to preserve it. The stark contrast of our beautiful blue planet with the barren lunar surface provides an added visual and emotional punch which only serves to strengthen our bond to Earth.
Shades of blue, shades of white / A round grand marble, shining bright / A beacon in space, it is so true / that we so need to respect, and cherish you.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/77900/crop-circles-in-the-desert
This image illustrate how Earth is shaped by human
Too many to choose from…. Here are my votes
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/NationalParksClimate
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86036/night-shining-clouds
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/85855/scandinavia-at-night
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/earth-book-2019#pages-22
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87233/earthrise-reimagined
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/79000/79793/city_lights_africa_8k.jpg
I like the view of the africa and europe in this picture with that golden light
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/90138/cassinis-final-view-of-home
???
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145777/beauty-carved-by-natures-violence
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/topic/volcanoes
the best picture from 2001 is a capture of a biggest lagoon before destruction : mayotte lagoon with the new underwater volcano is going to disapear, island loose altitud
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/1251/fringing-reef-mayotte
I nominate “Deforestation in Guinea’s Parrot’s Beak Area”. The stark difference on one side of the border vs the other is very illustrative of environmental change as well as the role politics plays in land management. A more subtle, but fascinating feature is the fact that in the deforested areas, the areas of settlement appear to be surrounded by a relatively lush border of vegetation-similar to Leach and Mearns’ work in west Africa, although in their case, the perivillage vegetation was an enhancement, rather than a relic, of the landscape.
Earth Observatory has been a priceless tool in my lectures!
Our most beautiful planet is earth and it’s created by Allah. Allah gives us Water, Wind, Land, Lives, We are living here by the grace of Almighty Allah and Allah is the only creator who decorated the Earth. So far I think we are mankind making changes on earth for our better lives but we can’t able to understand what types changes can do harmful for our planet. Any way sometimes It seems to me that The Earth shape is changed day by day than Before. May be it’s true and maybe not but only Most oldest image of earth can able To prove that The earth shape is changing day by day than before.
Thank you All
May Allah bless all of us.
Sajal Ahmed
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/global-maps/MOD_NDVI_M
Cette photo montre la verdure à l’échelle globale. L’Homme doit développer scientifiquement cette surface verte pour mieux respirer et éviter le réchauffement climatique.
Earth and Moon – a view from Mars, our next Starbucks stop?
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/89491/earth-and-moon-from-mars
I vote for an image like this one (https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/just-another-day-on-aerosol-earth) illustrating our breathing planet!
The February 2020 “Puzzling” satellite image.
The nightly Earth looks really great to me.
Adding some lights in a cold and dark space of beauty!
I thoroughly enjoy the new perspectives and scientific gems especially relating to fires (Summer of extremes in Australia – https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/event/145600/wildfires-in-australia), cyclones (A View Inside Typhoon Atsani – https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86454/a-view-inside-typhoon-atsani) and changes in trees (Canopies of Change – https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/88145/canopies-of-change), all at spatial or temporal (July 2016 Was the Hottest Month on Record https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/88607/july-2016-was-the-hottest-month-on-record) scales much larger than we appreciate on the ground.
New perspectives to talk to people about climate change are also great (World of change – https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change).
But my favourite vote goes to a wonderful perspective of an eclipse displayed in “An EPIC Eclipse” https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87675/an-epic-eclipse and this was made all the more enjoyable by the prominent position of the Australian continent.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/sea-ice-arctic
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/37753/atafu-atoll-tokelau-southern-pacific-ocean
All citizens around the world will preserve our beautiful planet so our future generation can appreciate this amazing island and other views
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146322/antarctica-melts-under-its-hottest-days-on-record
I nominate the change of Columbia Glacier. It highlights the speeding up of glacier retreat after 2010 and is pronouncing the effect of climate warming in the polar and sub-polar regions
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/ColumbiaGlacier
For me, this!
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/3124/ireland
Paris at night is the best of the best :
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/88348/paris-at-night
Denali – Home of the tallest mountain in North America and where views of glaciers can be seen advancing or retreating (as long as images aren’t modified).
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/86526/a-new-identity-for-denali
La cosmologie est ma passion première, c’est compliqué de choisir ! Mais j’ai décidé de quoique saturne, car avec ses anneaux, elle est tellement belle !
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7314
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/03/ipcc_bluemarble.jpg
I was looking for an image of earth during the total solar eclipse of 2018. Those images were not only beautiful but created context to understand our place in the solar system and proof that the earth is not flat! Couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for but an image from that event would be my choice.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change
Great view of Glacier National Park!
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/88000/88190/glaciernp_oli_2015235_lrg.jpg
Thats my favourite !
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/92912/earth-awash-in-lights-of-the-night
I love the melt pots in Antarctica, especially with the red beaming with light yellow above the photograph!
Twin Blue Marbles ❤️
https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/8108/twin-blue-marbles
Have always loved views of clouds from above. This is a beautiful and really interesting one.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146244/cloud-rosettes-in-the-sky
I really like the pale blue dot image, and Carl Sagan’s speech about this picture…we are on this beautiful planet in the middle of nowhere, and there are some people trying to make this planet a better place (and some the contrary, but let’s not talk about them…)
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/79000/79091/earth_voy_1990045_lrg.png
Voting for the “Faint White Speck,” the Curiosity rover’s view of Earth from Mars. Like many of NASA’s technological advancements, it demonstrates the height of our scientific prowess yet reminds us of our place in the universe. We’re all in this together.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/83296/twinkle-twinkle-little-earth?src=on-this-day
An amazing view of a phenomenon. Oct.7, 2018. The colors, enveloping Earth, called ‘airglow’.
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/92000/92912/iss057e035382_lrg.jpg
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/84884/italy-at-night
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/8000/8108/ipcc_bluemarble_west_lrg.jpg
Che emozione guardare una opera della natura cosi bella e che dispiacere a vedere che giorno dopo giorno cerchiamo di distruggerla
A real Classic!
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/4000/4882/AS11-44-6548.jpg
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/44267/sunset-from-the-international-space-station i voted for it because it is awesome and pretty and beautiful
https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/55000/55167/earth_lightsx294x196.jpg
It’s really pretty all the lights against the darkness. And to see the shape of the seas. It looks like a little dragon in a cluster of stars.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/91937/bloom-in-the-gulf-of-aden
blue circumvolutions as on Jupiter…