10 pictures from space that'll change your perspective of Earth

Mar 18, 2021

The STS-114 crew captured this view of Earth from the Shuttle-Station complex on day nine of the mission.

A view from above. Image: NASA

Joe Myers

Writer, Forum Stories

Satellite data can offer a fresh perspective of life on Earth.
From ice cover to river colour and light pollution, it's a vital resource for researchers.
A World Economic Forum report has shown the value data can bring in areas as diverse as healthcare, industry and education.

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You're probably familiar with what the Earth looks like from space thanks to more than half a century of pictures sent back from above.

For example, chances are you know the iconic 'Earthrise' shot taken by Bill Anders aboard Apollo 8 - although maybe in its more familiar horizontal orientation.

This view of the rising Earth greeted the Apollo 8 astronauts as they came from behind the moon after the lunar orbit insertion burn. The photo is displayed here in its original orientation, though it is more commonly viewed with the lunar surface at the bottom of the photo. Earth is about five degrees left of the horizon in the photo.

This view of the rising Earth greeted the Apollo 8 astronauts as they came from behind the moon after the lunar orbit insertion burn. Image: NASA

But, you might not know the sheer volume of photos taken from space and the work being done to build our understanding of life on Earth, from blue-green algae blooms to swings in Great Lakes ice cover.

1. What a difference a few days makes

20 February, 2021. Image: NASA

3 March 2021. Image: NASA

You can learn more about the changing ice cover, long-term averages and the climate patterns that control it here.

2. Where continents meet

Wide-angle photo from International Space Station of the Nile Delta and Sinai Peninsula and the Levant

The wide-angle shot shows the Nile Delta in Africa and the Sinai Peninsula and the Levant in southwest Asia. Image: NASA

Astronaut Andrew Morgan took this shot from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, capturing the point at which two continents meet. Learn more about it here.

3. Up on high

The Himalayas on 5 December, 2017. Image: NASA

Another photo from aboard the ISS - this time taken by Randy Bresnik - it shows the Himalaya Range. Find out more about how it was taken here.

4. Shining a light

'Night lights' have been a useful research tool for more than a quarter of a century. Image: NASA

Night-time imagery can help monitor unregulated fishing, track sea ice movements and help reduce light pollution. Learn more about 'night lights' projects here.

5. Dust storms

natural-color image, acquired on March 15, 2021 of dust storm across China

Dust clouds enveloped Beijing during March 2021. Image: NASA

A woman walks past Drum Tower during morning rush hour as Beijing, China, is hit by a sandstorm, March 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2EBM98T4K9

And the cloud from ground level. Image: REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Satellite images can offer a fresh perspective of events on Earth, compared to 'on-the-ground' pictures. You can read more on the dust cloud's impact on air quality in Beijing here.

6. Blue-green algae blooms

A view over Australia. Image: NASA

Authorities warned people to stay out the water as a result of the algae bloom, which can also harm fish populations. Read more about how fertilizer runoff can cause rapid reproduction of algae here.

7. Flooding in Mozambique

False-colour images flooding in Mozambique

These false-colour images show the extent of flooding in Mozambique. Image: NASA

The images show flooding seven days after Tropical Cyclone Eloise struck Mozambique. Read more about the cyclone and its impact here.

8. Psychedelic phytoplankton

Phytoplankton southeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland in July-September 2020

The phytoplanktons' chalky outer shells are responsible for the milky blue colour. Image: NASA

It's still not clear why the phytoplankton appeared in such numbers for so many weeks, but you can read more about the bloom here.

9. Changing river colours

The rivers have been coloured as they would approximately appear to our eye. Image: NASA

Recent research suggests that the dominant colour has changed in about one-third of large rivers in the continental United States over the last 35 years. Read more about the subtle changes that can drive this change here.

10. Missing snow

Snow cover on Mount Fuji, 29 December 2013. Image: NASA

Snow cover on Mount Fuji, 1 January 2021. Image: NASA

Snow cover on Mount Fuji in December 2020 was among the lowest in the 20 years NASA's Terra satellite has been monitoring it. Read more about it here.

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A purpose beyond pictures

As these examples show, satellite imagery isn't just another perspective of life on Earth. Whether natural or with colours adjusted, it can offer lessons about some of the processes shaping the future of the planet.

And, as a World Economic Forum report from January 2021 shows, satellite images can support industrial growth, environmental protection, healthcare and education.

In Africa, this could unlock economic benefits worth billions.

Satellite data economic potential Africa

Taking advantage of satellite data could have big benefits. Image: Digital Earth Africa

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.