Watching Earth From Space

Watching Earth From Space

Introduction The world right around you has hills, trees, homes, and buildings. Standing on the sidewalk, you can only see what is happening on your street. That is your normal view. Imagine looking down at your town, or Earth, from space. You would have a much wider view. From space, you could see and photograph your entire country!

Scientists who study the geography of Earth's surface use cameras on satellites in orbit. The International Space Station is one satellite that has cameras. The Space Station's orbit is nearly 400 km (250 mi) above Earth.

Images made by orbiting cameras track changes that happen to Earth over time. They see " the big picture. " These images record pollution damage, climate changes, and changes to land surfaces. They also show us the effects of too many people living in an area.

Weather Satellites Watch Storms Large storms, such as hurricanes, can cause great damage and loss of life. Not all areas have storm warning systems to let people know a dangerous storm is coming-- in time for them to escape the storm's path. Images from orbiting satellites help scientists predict where a storm will go.

Keeping Watch on Pollution Images from space can show where air or water is being polluted. For example, they can show where oil from an oil spill is spreading. This information can help people who live nearby. It can also help with cleanup efforts. Images can record how long it takes for the environment to recover.