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
Giant, near-perfect cloud ring appears in the middle of the Pacific Ocean
Earth from space A 2014 satellite image captured a rare glimpse of a massive, eerily circular ring of clouds that formed slap-bang in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
'Shining anus' volcano in Tonga coughs up cloud of smoke during recent eruption
Earth from space A 2022 satellite photo shows smoke rising from a caldera on Tofua, highlighting the "looming threat" of the volcanic island.
1st glacier declared dead from climate change seen in before and after images
Earth from space Satellite images taken more than three decades apart show the disappearance of Iceland's Okjökull, the first glacier to be officially declared dead as a result of human-caused climate change.
Erupting 'sharkcano' spits out a giant underwater plume in Oceania
Earth from space A 2022 satellite photo shows a large plume of discolored water rising from the undersea Kavachi volcano, during an eruption that likely scattered the sharks that normally dwell there.
Giant, pyramid-like 'star dunes' slowly wander across Moroccan desert
Earth from space This 2023 astronaut photo shows a series of slowly moving "star dunes" in the Erg Chebbi region of Morocco. Most of these massive structures are likely several centuries old.
Rare 'sunglint' transforms the Mediterranean Sea into a swirling, silver mirror
Earth from space This 2022 astronaut photo reveals a menagerie of hidden oceanographic features surrounding a pair of Greek islands, including giant spinning currents and rarely seen "internal waves."
A mysterious 'black hole' in Pacific Ocean that sparked wild rumors online
Earth from space This Google Maps image captured in 2021 revealed a mysterious, triangular dark patch in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, sparking bizarre rumors about its origin. However, it turned out to be a small island with incredibly dense tree coverage.
The heart-shaped 'Spirit Lake' sculpted by Mount St. Helens' epic eruption
Earth from space This 2023 satellite photo shows the heart-shaped Spirit Lake, which was transformed by the cataclysmic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Golden river of toxic waste spills out from deadly mining disaster in South Africa
Earth from space A 2022 satellite photo shows a shimmering trail of dried, chemically-enriched mud left behind by a torrent of wastewater that flooded a South African mining town, killing three people.
