The US space agency, NASA, announced that its satellite, NOAA-2, has captured recent pictures of the Earth, as part of its mission.
The satellite will provide a new global perspective of Earth from space and vital information regarding our planet’s oceans, atmosphere and land. The image is just the beginning of a modern science mission that will monitor the ocean environment and marine health, as well as the ability to track wildfires, droughts and floods.
The satellite contains an instrument known as the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Array (VIIRS), which has begun collecting data. It measures sea surface temperature, which is an important metric for monitoring hurricane formation, while observing ocean color helps monitor phytoplankton activity – an important component of hurricane formation. A leading indicator of ocean environment and marine health.
VIIRS on land can also detect and measure wildfires, droughts and floods, and its data can be used to track the thickness and movement of wildfire smoke, collecting images in both visible and infrared light spectrums, allowing scientists to see details of the Earth’s surface, and also providing analysis of snow cover. Ice, clouds, fog, aerosols, dust and global crop health.
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