Landsat 1, artist's conception. Landsat 1 launched in 1972 to capture detailed images of the Earth's surface. The program continues today with Landsat 9

Satellites are an essential piece of modern technology on which both individuals, communities, and governments across the world depend upon for the communication of data. A great deal of scientific and atmospheric data, collected by world governments, is available for exploration on the Internet. 

As discussed in the previous activity, satellites collect and transmit data by beaming radio waves 

In this activity, students will explore different sources of satellite data available on the Internet.

Students will visit a series of websites and explore the data available through satellite imagery. Begin by having them go to: 

1.      Daily HD Satellite; Time: November 19, 2019, PM; Location: Australia

a.      Use news websites to determine what natural disaster event was occurring in Australia at this time. Can you find satellite imagery evidence of this event on the Zoom Earth website? Take a screenshot

2.      Daily HD Satellite; “Tropical Storms” filter on; Time: August 29, 2005, PM; Location: southern United States

a.      What large hurricane passed through the Caribbean and the United States during this time? What were the dates it covered?

b.      Zoom into New Orleans on August 27, 2005, and then again on September 21, 2005. How has the coloring of the picture changed?

3.      Daily HD Satellite; “Tropical Storms” filter on; Time: August 28, 2011 PM; Location: Pamlico Sound, south of Virginia Beach, North Carolina

a.      What large hurricane passed through the area at this time? What were the dates that it covered?

b.      What is the cause of the change in water coloring seen in the bay and just off the shore?

4.      Daily HD Satellite; Time: February 14, 2021; Location: Dallas, TX

a.      Begin on the given date and cycle through into the next week. What weather event occurs?

b.      On February 19, 2021, what is the distance between Houston, TX, and the extent of the snow? On February 20? When is the snow in Texas gone by?

Standards for Satellite Explorer