Rare Clear View of Alaska

A ridge of high pressure brought clear skies and sweltering temperatures to Alaska on June 17, 2013.

Image of the Day Land Water

Alaska

Image of the Day Land

MISR Sights the Bering Strait

Image of the Day Water

Pavlof Volcano, Alaska Peninsula

Three striking photographs of Pavlof Volcano reveal the three-dimensional structure of the eruption plume.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Volcanoes

Forest Fire Smoke Surrounding Mt. McKinley

This view of Mt McKinley (Denali)—the highest point in North America (6,194 meters; 20,230 feet)—looks as if it were taken from an aircraft. In fact, an astronaut onboard the International Space Station took advantage of cloud-free skies and a powerful 800-millimeter lens to photograph this peak while the spacecraft was over the Gulf of Alaska, 800 miles to the south of the mountain. The powerful lenses are difficult to use, requiring motion compensation by the astronaut, so these kinds of detailed images of horizon detail are seldom taken. The rising sun casts long shadows across the Kahiltna Glacier that angles down from Denali (left).

Image of the Day Land Snow and Ice

Asian Dust Reaches Alaska

Dust and Haze

Winter Heat Swamps Alaska

In January 2014, record-breaking heat left Alaskans dealing with unseasonable bouts of rain and avalanches.

Image of the Day Land

Re-entry of Progress Spacecraft 42P

Astronauts captured this view of a Progress supply ship streaking across the sky as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Human Presence

North Slope of Alaska

Image of the Day Land Life Water

Wildfires in southwestern Alaska

Wildfires burned in a remote part of southwestern Alaska on June 16, 2013.

Land Fires