Images related to Terra Tracks Earth’s Vital Signs

Another Accountant for the Energy Budget
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Another Accountant for the Energy Budget

The CERES FM6 instrument measures the solar energy absorbed and reflected by Earth, the heat the planet emits into space, and the role of clouds in that process.

Published Jan 26, 2018

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water

Seeing the Parts for the Whole
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Seeing the Parts for the Whole

Across two decades, the Terra satellite has been a great leap for Earth system science, observing how different spheres fit together as a whole.

Published Dec 18, 2019

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Drought Fires Remote Sensing

Earth’s Energy out of Balance
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Earth’s Energy out of Balance

These maps show observed and modeled energy imbalances in the top 750 meters of the world’s oceans from 1993-2003.

Published Apr 29, 2005

Image of the Day Water

Measuring Earth’s Albedo
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Measuring Earth’s Albedo

The global picture of how Earth reflects sunlight is a muddle, though several regional trends emerge.

Published Oct 21, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Water Remote Sensing

The Top of the Atmosphere
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The Top of the Atmosphere

Atmospheric gases scatter blue wavelengths of visible light more than other wavelengths, giving the Earth’s visible edge a blue halo. At higher and higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes so thin that it essentially ceases to exist. Gradually, the atmospheric halo fades into the blackness of space. This astronaut photograph captured on July 20, 2006, shows a nearly translucent moon emerging from behind the halo.

Published Feb 2, 2007

Image of the Day Atmosphere

Carbon Monoxide from Canadian Fires
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Carbon Monoxide from Canadian Fires

Published Jul 10, 2006

Dust and Haze