This map reveals the depth of floodwater that covered Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024.
Dry weather is putting extra strain on the systems that deliver water to Mexico City.
Venezuela is the first postglacial nation in the Andes, as its last substantial patch of ice is now considered too small to flow under its own weight.
Published Jun 7, 2024
Strong winds and ample fuel helped spread flames over 14,000 acres of grassland in San Joaquin County.
Published Jun 5, 2024
Emissions of the potent greenhouse gas may be higher than previously thought, especially from landfills.
Published Jun 5, 2024Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Human Presence Remote Sensing
A volcanic fissure on the Reykjanes peninsula came alive again with voluminous, vigorous flows.
Published Jun 3, 2024
A former island and a desert are among the newcomers to the dry landscape following the lake’s rapid decline.
Published Jun 2, 2024
In Puerto Rico, corals, seagrass, and mangroves paint a colorful Caribbean scene by day, while the waters of a rare bioluminescent bay glow blue at night.
Published Jun 1, 2024
Researchers are using satellites to track a spreading trend in agriculture—the use of greenhouses.
Published May 31, 2024
The destructive tornado destroyed homes, downed wind turbines and power lines, snapped trees, and shredded roofs.
Published May 29, 2024
Snow and ice influence climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. When it melts, snow is a source of water for drinking and vegetation; too much snowmelt can lead to floods. These maps show average snow cover by month.
The nutrient-loaded Northern California lake turned green with algal growth in spring 2024.
Published May 28, 2024
Braided rivers, landslide debris, and alluvial fans are spread across this dynamic landscape in Glacier Bay National Park.
Published May 28, 2024
President Lyndon Johnson recognized this small town in upstate New York for being among the first to celebrate Memorial Day.
Published May 27, 2024
Net radiation is the balance between incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere. It is the total energy available to influence climate after light and heat are reflected, absorbed, or emitted by clouds and land.
Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.
Published May 21, 2024
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
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
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
Participants in NASA's Aurorasaurus project captured these images during the May 2024 geomagnetic storm.
Published May 15, 2024
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Aug 15, 2023
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.
The 2023 season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity generally occurring in September.
Published Jun 1, 2023
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.
Wildland fires in 2023 brought hazy skies and poor air quality to several countries north of the equator.
Published May 22, 2023
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
