Early Images from LDCM

The LDCM satellite began returning test imagery in March 2013. Here are some of the early returns.
Greenland’s Summer Melt Underway
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Greenland’s Summer Melt Underway

Melt ponds on the surface of Greenland’s ice sheet are an important indicator of the strength of the 2013 melt season.

Published Jul 9, 2013

Image of the Day Unique Imagery Snow and Ice

Death Valley Claims A Heat Title Again
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Death Valley Claims A Heat Title Again

With the thermometer rising past 129 degrees Fahrenheit, Death Valley National Park may have set the record for the all-time hottest June day ever recorded in the United States.

Published Jul 4, 2013

Image of the Day Heat Land Temperature Extremes

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
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150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

Modern remote sensing tools are helping to shed new light on the historic battle.

Published Jul 3, 2013

Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery Human Presence

A Long Look at El Paso and Ciudad Juarez
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A Long Look at El Paso and Ciudad Juarez

When the Landsat archive is combined with modern computing power, scientists can view the planet not just across space, but also time.

Published Jun 11, 2013

Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing

New Landsat Finds Clouds Hiding in Plain Sight
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New Landsat Finds Clouds Hiding in Plain Sight

One of LDCM’s sensors can detect faint cirrus clouds that can slightly alter a scene.

Published May 24, 2013

Image of the Day Atmosphere Drought Unique Imagery

Come Fly with Me
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Come Fly with Me

Fifty-six images were stitched together to present a seamless mosaic of what the newest Landsat saw on April 19, 2013. Here are some highlights of the satellite tour.

Published May 16, 2013

Image of the Day Land Water Unique Imagery Human Presence

Mapping the Severity of Springs Fire from Space
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Mapping the Severity of Springs Fire from Space

As wildfires wind down, teams of scientists hit the field to assess the damage. In many cases, they have help from satellites.

Published May 9, 2013

Image of the Day Land Fires Unique Imagery

Thermal Sensor Lights Up from Volcanic Heat
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Thermal Sensor Lights Up from Volcanic Heat

The TIRS instrument on the new Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite helps scientists pinpoint fine differences in temperature.

Published May 7, 2013

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Volcanoes Temperature Extremes

A Dynamic Landscape, a Dynamic Sensor
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A Dynamic Landscape, a Dynamic Sensor

The Cascade Mountains and nearby forests and lakes provide a good test of the visual range of the new LDCM satellite.

Published Apr 30, 2013

Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery Remote Sensing

LDCM Looks for Water Amidst the Heat
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LDCM Looks for Water Amidst the Heat

Thermal infrared imagery of the Southern California desert picks up the invisible water in the farmland around the Salton Sea.

Published Apr 23, 2013

Image of the Day Heat Land Water Drought Temperature Extremes

Exploring the Grand Canyon
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Exploring the Grand Canyon

The geology of the Grand Canyon has amazed visitors since John Wesley Powell first navigated the Colorado River in 1869. Now the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) offers a new view of the gorge.

Published Apr 20, 2013

Image of the Day Land Water Unique Imagery

Hot and Cold in the Arizona Desert
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Hot and Cold in the Arizona Desert

The Thermal Infrared Sensor on the newest Landsat provides insight into something invisible to human eyes: the temperature of the land surface.

Published Apr 18, 2013

Image of the Day Heat Drought Human Presence Temperature Extremes

Eye Exam for a Satellite
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Eye Exam for a Satellite

Researchers use ground and airborne instruments, as well as Landsat 7, to calibrate the imagery from the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.

Published Apr 16, 2013

Image of the Day Land Drought Unique Imagery Remote Sensing

Earth Science Lifts off from the California Coast
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Earth Science Lifts off from the California Coast

The new Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite captured a glimpse of Vandenberg Air Force Base and the central California coast. Vandenberg has been the launch site for a majority of U.S. Earth science research missions.

Published Apr 11, 2013

Image of the Day Land Water Unique Imagery Human Presence Remote Sensing