Earth Observation
Plankton’s Glow Seen from Space
Scientists have figured out how they can use special instruments on board two NASA satellites to detect the early stages…
Satellites Track Inland Water Levels From Space
Although they were designed to track the height of the world's oceans, a few NASA satellites are working surprisingly well…
How the Solar Wind Gets Past the Earth’s Shield
The European Space Agency's Cluster spacecraft have helped answer a 17-year mystery about how the magnetosphere, a magnetic bubble that…
Envisat Sees the Earth Changing in Real Time
The European Space Agency's Envisat Earth observation satellite is so sensitive it can track changes on the surface of our…
A View of Hurricane Alex
NASA's Terra satellite took this true-colour photograph of Hurricane Alex, the first Atlantic storm of the season, as it grazed…
SMART-1’s View of the Middle East
The European Space Agency's SMART-1 spacecraft took this snapshot of the Middle East and Africa from its vantage point of…
Satellites Spot Giant Rogue Waves
Scientists now believe that rogue waves - which can reach 30 metres (100 feet) high - are responsible for most…
Aura Finally Launches
After several days of delays, NASA's Aura Earth observation satellite launched on Thursday atop a Boeing Delta II rocket. The…
Two Ecosystems in Antarctica’s Vostok?
Scientists from Columbia University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a detailed map of Lake Vostok, which is buried 3,700…
Earth’s Oceans are Banded Like Jupiter’s Clouds
Scientists have discovered that the currents in the Earth's oceans bear a striking resemblance to the bands of clouds in…