Blue Marble


These are some of the images from NASA's "Blue Marble: Next Generation" project, which provides the most detailed look yet at our planet. Released Oct. 13, the pictures were created from a year's worth of monthly satellite observations done in 2004, pieced together to form a seamless mosaic of every square mile of the Earth. The images are twice as detailed as the original version NASA produced in 2002.

Earth as You've Never Seen It

This year's "Blue Marble" is a set of satellite images showing the color of the Earth's surface for each month of 2004, at very high resolution (500 meters per pixel) on a global scale. Deep oceans were not included in the source data; they are shown in a uniform blue color. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Satellite Map

This satellite mosaic shows the entire Earth in July 2004. The image data was taken mostly from a sensor called the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) that flies board NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites.
(NASA Earth Observatory)

The Original 'Blue Marble' Photo, 1972

While en route to the moon, the Apollo 17 astronauts snapped one of the most famous photos ever made of the Earth, Dec. 7, 1972. Taken from a distance of about 28,000 miles, the image fostered a greater awareness of the need to understand our home planet. (NASA)

Sahara Desert

This image shows part of the Sahara, the world's largest desert. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Nile River Delta

This is an image of the Nile River Delta in April. The Nile flows north into the Mediterranean Sea at the top of the photo. (NASA Earth Observatory)

New Zealand

Snow still caps the Southern Alps in the summer month of January on New Zealand's South Island. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Nepal

This view shows Nepal and the Himalaya in August. Forests cover the mountains up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet (3,660 meters) above sea level. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Hindu Kush

This mountain chain, shown here in August, separates part of eastern Afghanistan from northwestern Pakistan. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Hawaiian Islands

This image shows Hawaii's eight main islands at bottom right. These islands extend about 350 miles, while the entire Hawaiian chain covers 1,523 miles and includes 132 islands. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Grand Canyon

This image shows the Grand Canyon, at lower left, in February. The Colorado River flows from top right of this image toward the lower left. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Boreal Forest, Canada

The boreal forests of northern North America experience severe cold and heavy snowfall. Winter lasts seven to eight months here. (NASA Earth Observatory)

The Bahamas

This image shows some of the Bahamas. New Providence Island is the larger island at left center. (NASA Earth Observatory)

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