Satellite Images: Selfies for Preserving Earth’s Environment

Photographs are not just keepsakes. Images from outer space help us keep track of planet Earth and its resources. Satellites are equipped with special sensors (like eyes) that can see “colors” of light that human eyes cannot see. These satellites orbit really high above us, and travel around Earth frequently. This birds-eye view and speedy revisit time means that they can help inform us about natural disasters, climate change, and the weather. This article gives an overview of how satellites observe the Earth, and some of the important applications of this technique to the conservation of Earth’s invaluable natural resources.