Latest Terra News

A dust plume arose over Inner Mongolia and on April 9, 2012, began its eastward journey over the Sea of Japan

Dust Dominates Foreign Aerosol Imports to North America

Scientists used satellites to measure for the first time from space the amount of tiny airborne particles entering North America, and concluded that ...

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The intensity and scope of the heat wave in the western United States is visible in this map of land surface temperature anomalies for June 17–24, 2012.

NASA Maps Heat Wave Fueling Wildfires in the Rockies

High temperatures dry out vegetation and decrease the relative humidity, making it easier for fires to ignite and spread.

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satellite view of Hurricane Beryl over Florida

NASA Sending Unmanned Aircraft Over Hurricanes

Beginning this summer, NASA will send "severe storm sentinels" into stormy skies to gather information about hurricane formation and intensity ...

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How 2012 Snow Stacks Up

The relatively mild winter of 2012 has many people asking, "Where's the snow?" These maps show the answer.

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'First Light' Taken by NASA's Newest CERES Instrument

The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System instrument had its 'first light' moment aboard the Suomi NPP satellite.

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About Terra

NASA launched the Earth Observing System's flagship satellite "Terra," named for Earth, on December 18, 1999. Terra has been collecting data about Earth's changing climate. Terra carries five state-of-the-art sensors that have been studying the interactions among the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, and radiant energy. Each sensor has unique design features that will enable scientists to meet a wide range of science objectives. The five Terra onboard sensors are: