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. This record includes preview images and links to full resolution versions up to 21,600 pixels across.
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.
For more information related to NASA's Blue Marble go to:
earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/BlueMarble_...
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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To view an animation of this image go here:www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/4401845574/
For another view go here:www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/4386822005/
Credit NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Image by Reto Stöckli (land surface, shallow water, clouds). Enhancements by Robert Simmon (ocean color, compositing, 3D globes, animation). Data and technical support: MODIS Land Group; MODIS Science Data Support Team; MODIS Atmosphere Group; MODIS Ocean Group Additional data: USGS EROS Data Center (topography); USGS Terrestrial Remote Sensing Flagstaff Field Center (Antarctica); Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (city lights).
philgribbon, Erick Batista, nothingelseis, tietoukka, and 1356 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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View 20 more comments
Earth2428 25 months ago | reply
let me see a human make a plant like Earth no way Earth been here before humans
KaliksBaryczka 24 months ago | reply
miguele4matador [deleted] 24 months ago | reply
nice view
DarkAngelDay 24 months ago | reply
Amazing!
Jelle Schuurmans 24 months ago | reply
If that's a real real photo that's real REAL crazy!!
Toygun Çetin 24 months ago | reply
this is wonderful image!
gerrygutteridge 24 months ago | reply
We are so lucky but we do not know it....! Gerry
RaSeLaSeD - Il Pinguino 24 months ago | reply
Wow!!Breath taking!!
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Seen on your photo stream. ( ?² )
RaSeLaSeD - Il Pinguino 24 months ago | reply
Wow!!Breath taking!!!
T3N60 24 months ago | reply
I see the routes and travels around world at sea?
Alfox5 22 months ago | reply
Monte Mendoza 20 months ago | reply
Where were you standing when you took this?
macandeman 16 months ago | reply
Fantastic photos! As I look at these earth pictures I'm reminded of just how much water is present. Now, think of what would happen if there was no gravity to keep the water attached to the earth...
Merri Harrison-Quarles 16 months ago | reply
Love it!
vladimir DGama 13 months ago | reply
Earth is my Mother save Earth
from Vladimir Ceo Flickr
vladimir DGama 13 months ago | reply
There are many wealth.Upon Earth Yet not know.
from Vladimir
vladimir DGama 12 months ago | reply
If was look at the Earth from the moon it is very beautiful it is so real the ligh blue.an little green
from Vladimr Dgama rearch center
invited Your friends in one happy family
www.flickr.com
geo386 5 months ago | reply
isn't she beatiful!!!