It"s Earth Day today and we are high above the blue marble looking down on the border between Arkansas and Mississippi. Those small, blocky shapes are towns, fields, and pastures, and the teal green is the mighty Mississippi River. Anyone who has flown in the window seat of an airplane and gazed down at Earth below might wonder why the colors in this image look so unreal. That"s because they are. This image was taken in 2013 by Landsat 7, a NASA satellite that uses thermal infrared sensors to help scientists better distinguish flora, fauna, water, and manmade objects. For almost 50 years, NASA has been using satellite imagery to understand how climate change and population growth are affecting our fragile planet. These satellites help NASA see where deforestation and wildfires are happening, where glaciers are melting, and how rising waters are encroaching on cities.
Gazing down on planet Earth
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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The cycle begins anew
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Porto Timoni beach, Greece
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The persistence of Perito Moreno
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State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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Feeling chic on Fashion Week
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It s only Wednesday
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Lake Peipus, Estonia
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In praise of the old…the very old
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Looking back on 150 years of rail travel
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A yearly sign that spring has sprung
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Jane’s Carousel delights
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Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
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Take a break! It s Labor Day!
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Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
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A towering view of the Pale Mountains
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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Arbor Day
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Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
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Dancing waters of Dubai
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Quilts as high art
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Crown Fountain by Jume Plensa at Millennium Park in Chicago
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Great horned owl near Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
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Midwinter freeze
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High seas commerce
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Celebrating Bike to Work Week, May 14-18
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Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
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Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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Seville celebrates first world tour
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Carnival of Venice