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This spectacular “blue marble” image is the most detailed true-color image of the entire Earth to date. Using a collection of satellite-based observations, scientists and visualizers stitched together months of observations of the land surface, oceans, sea ice, and clouds into a seamless, true-color mosaic of every square kilometer (.386 square mile) of our planet. These images are freely available to educators, scientists, museums, and the public. Preview images and links to full resolution versions—up to 21,600 pixels across—are located below. | Close-ups at full (1km per pixel) resolution | ||
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Much of the information contained in this image came from a single remote-sensing device-NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS. Flying over 700 km above the Earth onboard the Terra satellite, MODIS provides an integrated tool for observing a variety of terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric features of the Earth. The land and coastal ocean portions of these images are based on surface observations collected from June through September 2001 and combined, or composited, every eight days to compensate for clouds that might block the sensor’s view of the surface on any single day. Two different types of ocean data were used in these images: shallow water true color data, and global ocean color (or chlorophyll) data. Topographic shading is based on the GTOPO 30 elevation dataset compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey’s EROS Data Center. MODIS observations of polar sea ice were combined with observations of Antarctica made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s AVHRR sensor—the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. The cloud image is a composite of two days of imagery collected in visible light wavelengths and a third day of thermal infra-red imagery over the poles. Global city lights, derived from 9 months of observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, are superimposed on a darkened land surface map. Credits: Source files and technical details
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View of the Earth From Space Eastern
Hemisphere 2048 by 2048 pixels (7.1 MB TIFF) Animations | ||
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Land Surface, Shallow Water, and Shaded Topography | ||
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Land Surface, Ocean Color, and Sea Ice | ||
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Land Surface, Ocean Color, Sea Ice, and Clouds | ||
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Clouds | ||
Files denoted by double asterisks (**) are available upon request. Please send an email to eobmail@eodomo.gsfc.nasa.gov with the file description. Requests will be processed during normal business hours. Recommend this article to a friend Back to: News |
Land, Ocean Color, Sea Ice, City Lights |
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the Earth Observatory About the Earth Observatory Please send comments or questions to: eobmail@eodomo.gsfc.nasa.gov Responsible NASA official: Yoram Kaufman |