The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer, MODIS, can see the Earth red, green, and blue, the colors our eyes see, and many other spectral bands for a total of 36. It measures an unprecedented number of parameters related to global change including ocean plant life, cloud properties, atmospheric particulates (aerosols) and land surface change. This image shows the Earth in true color as it appears from Terra. The animation (1.8MB) (high-res (6.3MB)) zooms in from this viewpoint to San Francisco, showing details of vegetation, urban areas, and sediment in the San Francisco Bay.

For more information:
MODIS images through Visible Earth.
MODIS web site

Image courtesy of MODIS instrument team