Satellite data can reveal a host of very small data points from very far away. But just how do they get such a detailed view? Through a mix of all kinds of different satellites, all moving in concert around the Earth, and keeping a close eye on it. Here they are in action.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio put together this latest view of all the different satellites they have up there. It’s an interesting perspective flip on the satellites above us that send back all sorts of data, everything from images of how our cities light up at night to how much moisture there is in soils around the world.
So just what’s exactly up there? Check them out in motion in the video above and then look through this list of all the satellites keeping an eye on us and our surroundings:
“The A-Train”, a quartet of atmospheric observation and measurement satellites: Aqua, Aura, CloudSat, CALIPSO
A couple new additions: SMAP, GPM, and OCO-2
And the old favorites, including the International Space Station but also these satellites: Aquarius, Suomi NPP, Terra, SORCE, GRACE, Jason 2, Landsat 7, Landsat 8, QuikSCAT, TRMM, EO-1
[via Wired]
