Satellite imagery provides a unique perspective on our planet and can encompass a wide range of different scientific disciplines including climate change, weather, volcanic eruptions and even animal behavior. Every week, we take a bird's eye view of Earth, and see how it affects the people living on it.
See more stunning pictures of Earth
Latest about Earth from space
10 bizarre 'dark voids' appear in the skies over uninhabited island near Antarctica
Earth from space A 2016 satellite photo shows nearly a dozen swirling dark spots that emerged in the clouds over Heard Island in the Indian Ocean.
Lake-filled impact crater in Africa transforms into a giant silver 'mirror' via rare phenomenon
Earth from space A 2024 astronaut photo shows a rare "sunglint" shining off Lake Iro and a nearby zig-zagging river in Chad. The shimmering bodies of water were likely both shaped by an ancient meteor impact.
'Ghost island' appears after underwater eruption, then vanishes into the Caspian Sea
Earth from space A series of photos taken between 2022 and 2024 shows the emergence and rapid disappearance of a volcanic "ghost island" off the coast of Azerbaijan.
Trio of stripy glaciers merging in 'Earth's highest battleground' are part of a major anomaly scientists don't fully understand
Earth from space This 2023 astronaut photo shows three glaciers merging into a single massive ice mass in the Karakoram mountains. The stripy glaciers have gained ice in recent decades, despite the effects of human-caused climate change.
Russian volcano grows 'devil horns' and spits out 1,000-mile-long river of smoke
Earth from space A false-color satellite photo from 2023 shows a devilish pair of lava flows and an enormous plume of smoke spewing from Klyuchevskoy, the tallest volcano in Europe and Asia.
Perfect trio of prehistoric atolls shine like tropical gems off Australian coast
Earth from space This 2011 astronaut photo shows the atolls of Rowley Shoals lined up in a near-perfect line off the coast of Australia. The island trio was once part of an ancient barrier reef system that stretched over 1,200 miles.
Stunning cloud vortices swirl off 6 different Atlantic islands
Earth from space A 2015 satellite photo captured a series of stunning "von Kármán vortices" swirling off Madeira and the Canary Islands. The giant swirls are collectively one of the best examples of this meteorological phenomenon ever seen.
Final photo from iconic US satellite shows how Las Vegas has 'doubled' in size over the last 25 years
Earth from space The final image captured by the recently decommissioned Landsat 7 satellite shows how "Sin City" has nearly doubled in size during the iconic spacecraft's 25-year lifespan.
Giant 'Saharan dust' plume swirls around Africa a week before it hit Florida
Earth from space A recent satellite photo captured a giant comma-shaped cloud of "Saharan dust" being blown above the Atlantic Ocean. The hazy mass hit North America a week later.
'River of fire' flows from Mount Etna during 'crazy' explosive outburst
Earth from space A recent satellite image captured a glowing river of lava flowing down the flank of Europe's largest active volcano as it spectacularly blew its top and unleashed a towering plume of ash, smoke and toxic gases into the skies over Sicily.
