Satellites help us appreciate the beauty of our planet. But they also help solve many of today’s most pressing scientific issues. It is this second reason, why I was excited to get an email from NASA earlier this week announcing that the SeaWiFS instrument is fully operational again after a few months of technical difficulties. Much of my research relies on observations of the world’s oceans by this mighty little satellite. What’s most amazing about it: SeaWiFS was launched in 1997 and was expected to provide satellite coverage for maybe four or five years. It’s been up there for 11 years now, still going strong and still providing one of the most valuable and comprehensive time series of earth system data ever produced.
But enough for the geeky science talk. Let’s get back to the beauty of our planet. The Ocean Color Group at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has put together an impressive gallery of simply beautiful images from the SeaWiFS instrument and its younger brother, MODIS. Enjoy!
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