From record-breaking heatwaves to pandemic-related events, Earth-observing satellites captured some compelling moments on our planet in 2021. A NASA Earth-curated image list showcases some of the beautiful and complex events that occurred on our planet in the past year, and demonstrates how Earth-observing technologies and missions provide valuable information to scientists, government agencies, and people around the world.
(And… there’s a lot of Landsat!)
Banner Image Caption: Some of the highest diurnal tides in the world—nearly 14 meters (46 feet)—have been recorded in the Sea of Okhotsk. In the Russian Far East, narrow bays funnel and amplify the incoming tides, making it a prime location for tidal power generation. The transition from smooth, laminar flow to mixed, turbulent flow is visible in this natural-color image of the western Sea of Okhotsk. The image of the Shantar Islands and Uda Bay was acquired on Sept. 24, 2021, by Landsat 8.
The Pale Blue Dot Visualization Challenge—aimed at making Earth observation data accessible to everyone—has officially kicked off.
While floating algae, emergent aquatic vegetation, and historic surface scum can be tracked throughout the Landsat record, researchers warn data users that older Landsat sensors lack the precision needed to be used for water-column studies.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, regions of North, Central, and South America experienced an annular solar eclipse. Through the Earth to Sky Partnership, NASA coordinated with Mesa Verde National Park to host a series of outreach events.
The Pale Blue Dot Visualization Challenge—aimed at making Earth observation data accessible to everyone—has officially kicked off.
While floating algae, emergent aquatic vegetation, and historic surface scum can be tracked throughout the Landsat record, researchers warn data users that older Landsat sensors lack the precision needed to be used for water-column studies.
NASA Official: Chris Neigh
Webmaster: Michael P. Taylor
Curators: Landsat Science Outreach Team
