Learn
Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use it, we have the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, and tools.
Getting Started
Explore the Getting Started page for an introduction on how to use the Earthdata site.
Earth Science Disciplines
The petabytes worth of data collected by NASA’s Earth science program typically fall into one or several disciplines of study, including atmosphere, calibrated radiance, cryosphere, human dimensions, land, and ocean. Explore each of these disciplines, what Earth processes are involved, and the measurements associated with each. Find and visualize data for each of the discipline measurements.
Data Toolkits
Data Toolkits are designed as entry points to access NASA Earth science data resources organized by topic. They contain links to datasets, tutorials and how-tos, feature articles and Data User Profiles, as well as other useful information.
Webinars and Tutorials
Select from an extensive collection of on-demand webinars and tutorials on data discovery, data access, and data tools.
Articles
Browse through timely and topical articles, including those featured in Sensing Our Planet, a rich set of articles describing research uses of Earth observing data.
Data User Profiles
Data user profiles highlight our diverse end-user community worldwide and show you not only how these data are being used for research and applications, but also where these data are being used.
Data Chats
Data chats are short, informal discussions with scientists, managers, and members of our diverse data-user community, providing insight into how NASA's Earth observing data are being used around the world.
Community Forums
Visit community forums to find answers to questions and interact with peers, including scientists and other data users.
User Resources
Explore the plethora of user resources showcasing the ESDS program. The EOSDIS Quarterly Newsletter highlights NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) news, data access tools and activities. Outreach products provides a range of resources, from printed material to multimedia, for a variety of audiences.
Data Pathfinders
Data Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly used data sets and data products within specific topic areas, such as agriculture, water resources, wildfires, and health and air quality.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS software is designed to capture, manage, analyze, and visualize all forms of geographically referenced information. It reveals relationships, patterns, and trends in the data and integrates with other visualization platforms and non-scientific data formats. GIS can also be configured to make data more easily discoverable, accessible and usable via web data services, and provides the ability to quickly deploy powerful raster and vector analytical capabilities via maps and applications. NASA Earth science data are useful for a wide range of GIS research and applications in the areas of climate, atmosphere, hydrology, weather, and agriculture.
Remote sensing provides a means to explore Earth; even the most difficult of places to reach physically can be observed by remote sensors. Find out more about satellite orbits, sensor resolution, and how data processing and interpretation can allow us to see the Earth in new ways.
Remote Sensors
There are two types of remote sensing instruments—active and passive systems. Find out more about each of these types of remote sensors and the various NASA instruments for each type.
Learn the Terms
Confused by acronyms or wondering what a term means? Check out our acronym list and glossary.
Related Tools and Programs
A helpful list of related tools, organizations, programs, projects, forums and more.
Need Help?
Have a question or need help? Please contact Earthdata Support.
Page Last Updated: Oct 15, 2019 at 9:15 AM EDT