A new sensor orbiting the Earth aboard NASAs satellite is now collecting the most detailed measurements ever made of the seas surface temperature every day all over the globe. Like a sophisticated thermometer in space, the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is helping Earth scientists advance studies of how our worlds oceans and atmosphere interact in ways that drive weather patterns and, over the long term, define our climate. The image above shows cold water upwelling near the coast of Peru (purple) and joining the South Equatorial Current, which flows westward across the Pacific Ocean. This MODIS sea surface temperature image from January 1–8, 2001 shows the ocean in normal conditions, but during an El Niño the waters off Peru are much warmer. Cold waters are black and dark green. Blue, purple, red, yellow, and white represent progressively warmer water. For more information, high-res images, and animations, see: Terra Measures Sea Surface Temperature with Unprecedented Detail. Source: Image by Jesse Allen, based on data provided by the MODIS OCEAN Team and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Remote Sensing Group |
World satellite map Source: NASA |
The world Source: owje.com |
The Earth, a blue planet Source: owje.com |
The globe at night Source: owje.com |
Earth and Moon Source: NASA |
Earth and Moon Source: NASA |
The Earth from the Moon Source: NASA |
The earth, moon and sun Source: owje.com |
Earth's surface clear of clouds Source: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency - JAXA |
An artist's impression of the last glacial period at glacial maximum. Based on: "Ice age terrestrial carbon changes revisited" by Thomas J. Crowley (Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Vol. 9, 1995, pp. 377-389 Source: owje.com |
