Dazzling Photographs of Earth From Above
Satellite images of mountains, glaciers, deserts and other landscapes become incredible works of art
- By Erin Wayman
- Smithsonian.com, June 09, 2011
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(USGS / NASA)
Byrd Glacier (January 11, 2000)
The white smear across the Transantarctic Mountains is the Byrd Glacier, named after American explorer Richard E. Byrd. The 112-mile stream of ice traverses half a mile each year—pretty fast for a glacier—as it flows toward the Ross Ice Shelf.
Although the images for the exhibit were selected for their aesthetic value, they provide an opportunity to educate people about how scientists use satellite imagery to study the earth, says Ronald Beck, a USGS information specialist. For example, researchers can use satellites to track how glaciers change over time.
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Comments (10)
Microscopic algae (phytoplankton) have done, and still do, more good than harm, notwithstanding harmful algal blooms (HABs) that are part of the ecological landscape after all.
More significant to us, a little over a couple of billion years ago, the blue-green algae, or what biologists now prefer to call cyanobacteria, generated oxygen which since then has made our atmosphere and planet a livable place.
Shouldn't we be humbled that they will be around, long after our species is forever gone?
Posted by Augustus the Copepodologist on September 5,2011 | 08:45 PM
Our world look beautiful, colorful & familiar... It's home to all but no one own it....
Posted by Behzad Tabrizi on August 6,2011 | 09:29 PM
Not to kill the joy, but I hope you know the negative effects of the algaes (phytoplankton)? They create poisonous bi-products and consume lots of oxygen which kill marine life at some depths. Animals (dogs for instance) that drink water from bays with lots of this can die.
But it looks beautiful from a distance, we call it 'algae blooming' in Sweden ;D
Posted by Peter on June 29,2011 | 07:44 AM
To John Nicol - you can buy these. High quality on photo stock. http://eros.usgs.gov/imagegallery/ The hardest thing is deciding which one to choose! The earth is an amazing and beautiful thing!
Posted by Nancy the geologist on June 24,2011 | 11:16 AM
Beautiful and real. Why can't these pictures be printed and sold as Art? They are just as abstract and colorful as some art works and should be worthy of gallery and museum representation! Also it could bring in money to help the space programs, that are being cut back. As for attributions, how about Photo by "United States of America" They should be available to every citizen of the Planet Earth.
Posted by john nicol on June 16,2011 | 10:59 PM
amazing :)
Posted by teju on June 13,2011 | 12:40 PM
Immensely moving experience. Thank you so much for bringing us the wonder of our planet. It is elevating and at the same time humbling.
Posted by Ramakrishnan on June 13,2011 | 12:17 PM
That makes me what to strap on my boarding gear and go riding!!!!
Posted by april mccumber on June 9,2011 | 05:40 PM
That is amazing!!! Love the colors!!
Posted by april mccumber on June 9,2011 | 05:37 PM
I like it! Looks like an opened human lung.
Posted by april mccumber on June 9,2011 | 05:34 PM