May 8, 2012 6:30 AM

Gallery: 10 Years of Aqua Satellite's Incredible Images of Earth From Space

01
mt-etna-erupts
The view of Earth from space has transformed our understanding of, as well as our admiration for, the planet. The data and images collected by Earth-observing satellites have been used in thousands of scientific papers, helped us better respond to natural disasters, improved weather and climate forecasts, enlightened us about our impact on Earth and captivated us with beauty. One of the stars of [NASA's fleet of satellites](http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/) is Aqua. The satellite is named for its ability to measure water vapor in the atmosphere, water in the oceans, as well as ice and snow. When it was [launched on May 4, 2002](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=2421), scientists expected it to work for three to five years. But its six instruments have been functioning perfectly for 10 years, gathering 29 million gigabytes of data in that time. One of the most useful and impressive instruments aboard Aqua is the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, which measures visible and infrared radiation, and produces truly amazing, incredibly beautiful images of Earth. We've chosen some of our favorite MODIS images for this gallery in celebration of a decade of work. With [funding for Earth-observing satellites on the decline](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/05/earth-observing-satellites/), let's hope Aqua keeps going for 10 more years. __Above:__ Mount Etna is Europe's most active volcano. Aqua captured this image of Etna erupting on Oct. 28, 2002. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=2903) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
02
antarctica
Antarctica ---------- This amazing view of Antarctica in its entirety is a composite image captured by Aqua on Jan. 27, 2009. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=36839) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

03
new-zealand
New Zealand ----------- Sediment runoff from heavy rains shows up as lighter streaks and swirls in the water around New Zealand's Cook Strait. Aqua captured this image on Apr. 29, 2011. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=50555) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
04
gulf-oil-spill
Gulf Oil Spill -------------- The MODIS instruments on NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites tracked the progress of the Gulf oil spill two years ago. The image above was taken by Aqua on Apr. 25, 2010, five days after the drilling rig exploded. [*High-resolution version*](http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/43000/43768/gulf_AMO_2010115_lrg.jpg) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

05
vortex-street
Vortex Street ------------- This image of cloud streets over the Greenland Sea was captured by Aqua on Feb. 24, 2009. Jan Mayen island disrupts the pattern near the center of the image, creating a vortex street. [*High-resolution version*](http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/37000/37222/JanMayen_AMO_2009055_lrg.jpg) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
06
fiji-reef
Fiji Reef --------- The Cakaulevu Reef on Fiji's northern shore shows up in this rare cloudless shot captured by Aqua on July 21, 2011. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=51731) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

07
storms
Storms ------ On Oct. 3, 2009 NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured this image of two powerful storms in the South China Sea near the Philippines. The right side of the image shows Typhoon Melor, captured by Aqua, and the left side is an image taken two hours earlier by Terra of Tropical Storm Parma. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40615) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
08
patagonia-bloom
Patagonia Bloom --------------- This massive phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Argentinian Patagonia was captured by Aqua on Dec. 21, 2010. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=48244) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

09
eyjafjallajokull-volcano-erupts
Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Erupts ------------------------------- Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull Volcano erupted in 2010, coating Iceland with ash and repeatedly grounding air traffic in Europe. In this image, taken by Aqua on May 12, 2010, the volcano's ash rises above the clouds. [*High-resolution version*](http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/43000/43945/iceland_amo_2010132_lrg.jpg) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
10
beijing-haze
Beijing Haze ------------ The thick haze blanketing the Beijing region in China is clearly visible in this image taken by Aqua on Mar. 27, 2007. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7518) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

11
glory
Glory ----- The rainbow feature in this image taken by Aqua over the Pacific Ocean on May 20, 2008 is an optical phenomenon known as a glory. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8805) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
12
tibetan-lakes
Tibetan Lakes ------------- The lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau vary in color due to different types and amounts of minerals that have collected in them. This image was taken by Aqua on Nov. 10, 2010. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=47133) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

13
minnesota-fire
Minnesota Fire -------------- Lightning started this fire in northeastern Minnesota, imaged by Aqua on Sep. 12, 2011. [*High-resolution version*](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=52130) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*
14
wave-clouds
Wave Clouds ----------- Known as wave clouds, these long, semicircular clouds were created by cool dry air coming from over Africa interacting with warm, humid air over the Atlantic Ocean. This image was captured by Aqua on Oct. 9, 2007. [*High-resolution version*](http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/8000/8139/WestAfrica_AMO_2007282_lrg.jpg) *Image: [NASA](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/)*

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