See Amazing Photos of Earth Taken by a Japanese Satellite

High sediment load in the Hugli River Delta, India, is evident by the light tan colors in the water, particularly downstream from off-shore islands. The deep green colors of some of these islands are mangrove swamps. Image acquired on Jan. 6, 2005.
High sediment load in the Hugli River Delta, India, is evident by the light tan colors in the water, particularly downstream from off-shore islands. The deep green colors of some of these islands are mangrove swamps. Image acquired on Jan. 6, 2005.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
By Marisa Gertz
Red glows indicate the presence of heat from Bezymianny volcano (bottom) and Klyuchevskaya volcano (top) in Kamchatka, Russia acquired on Jan. 21, 2004.
Red glows indicate the presence of heat from Bezymianny volcano (bottom) and Klyuchevskaya volcano (top) in Kamchatka, Russia acquired on Jan. 21, 2004.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River in east-central China. Since its completion in 2008, over 1.3 million people were relocated; 13 cities, 140 towns, and 1350 villages were submerged; and the cost of the project exceeded $40 billion. Vegetation appears red at the near-infrared wavelengths captured here. The image was acquired June 24, 2009.
The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River in east-central China. Since its completion in 2008, over 1.3 million people were relocated; 13 cities, 140 towns, and 1350 villages were submerged; and the cost of the project exceeded $40 billion. Vegetation appears red at the near-infrared wavelengths captured here. The image was acquired June 24, 2009.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
This image of Paris captures data from visible to thermal infrared wavelengths, which displays vegetation in red. It was acquired on July 23, 2000.
This image of Paris captures data from visible to thermal infrared wavelengths, which displays vegetation in red. It was acquired on July 23, 2000.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The visible and infrared data have been computer enhanced to exaggerate the color differences of the different materials of the Pampa Luxsar lava complex in the Andes. This image was acquired April 7, 2000.
The visible and infrared data have been computer enhanced to exaggerate the color differences of the different materials of the Pampa Luxsar lava complex in the Andes. This image was acquired April 7, 2000. NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Dagze Co (Lake) in Tibet was considerably larger in glacial times, as evidenced by numerous fossil shorelines. Changes in climate have resulted in greater aridity of the Tibetan Plateau and the lake continues to shrink. This image was acquired on Oct. 8, 2001.
Dagze Co (Lake) in Tibet was considerably larger in glacial times, as evidenced by numerous fossil shorelines. Changes in climate have resulted in greater aridity of the Tibetan Plateau and the lake continues to shrink. This image was acquired on Oct. 8, 2001. NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Plumes, believed to be from burning pools of oil from pipelines outside of Baghdad, Iraq, create an environmental health hazard for residents of the city and surrounding regions. The near-infrared wavelengths captured here show vegetation as red. The image was acquired on March 31, 2003.
Plumes, believed to be from burning pools of oil from pipelines outside of Baghdad, Iraq, create an environmental health hazard for residents of the city and surrounding regions. The near-infrared wavelengths captured here show vegetation as red. The image was acquired on March 31, 2003.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The dramatic difference in land use patterns between El Centro, CA, and Mexicali-Calexico, Mexico, is highlighted by the lush, regularly gridded agricultural fields of the US, and the more barren fields of Mexico. The combination of visible and near infrared bands displays vegetation in red. This image was acquired on May 19, 2000.
The dramatic difference in land use patterns between El Centro, CA, and Mexicali-Calexico, Mexico, is highlighted by the lush, regularly gridded agricultural fields of the US, and the more barren fields of Mexico. The combination of visible and near infrared bands displays vegetation in red. This image was acquired on May 19, 2000.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Finney County in southwestern Kansas is now irrigated cropland where once there was shortgrass prairie. Green areas in the image are healthy vegetation. Light colored cultivated fields are fallow or recently harvested. The image was acquired on June 24, 2001.
Finney County in southwestern Kansas is now irrigated cropland where once there was shortgrass prairie. Green areas in the image are healthy vegetation. Light colored cultivated fields are fallow or recently harvested. The image was acquired on June 24, 2001.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Shoemaker Impact Structure in Australia, is estimated to be between 1000 and 600 million years old. The structure is 30 km in diameter, and is most easily recognized by the deformation of the resistant ironstones of the Frere Formation, shown in dark green on the image. Low lying areas are salt-encrusted seasonal and dry lakes. The composite was acquired on Nov. 4, 2000.
The Shoemaker Impact Structure in Australia, is estimated to be between 1000 and 600 million years old. The structure is 30 km in diameter, and is most easily recognized by the deformation of the resistant ironstones of the Frere Formation, shown in dark green on the image. Low lying areas are salt-encrusted seasonal and dry lakes. The composite was acquired on Nov. 4, 2000.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The alkali salt crust on the surface of Lake Natron in Tanzania is often colored red or pink by the salt-loving microorganisms that live there. This image was acquired on March 8, 2003.
The alkali salt crust on the surface of Lake Natron in Tanzania is often colored red or pink by the salt-loving microorganisms that live there. This image was acquired on March 8, 2003.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Richat Structure, in the Sahara desert of Oudane, Mauritania has attracted attention since the earliest space missions because it forms a conspicuous bull's-eye in the otherwise rather featureless expanse. Initially interpreted as a meteorite impact structure because of its high degree of circularity, it is now thought to be merely a symmetrical uplift (circular anticline) that has been laid bare by erosion. The image was acquired Oct. 7, 2000.
The Richat Structure, in the Sahara desert of Oudane, Mauritania has attracted attention since the earliest space missions because it forms a conspicuous bull's-eye in the otherwise rather featureless expanse. Initially interpreted as a meteorite impact structure because of its high degree of circularity, it is now thought to be merely a symmetrical uplift (circular anticline) that has been laid bare by erosion. The image was acquired Oct. 7, 2000.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Chemetall Foote Lithium Operation in Silver Peak, Nevada is currently the only operating source of lithium in the United States, used primarily in the manufacture of batteries. The image was acquired on June 29, 2013.
The Chemetall Foote Lithium Operation in Silver Peak, Nevada is currently the only operating source of lithium in the United States, used primarily in the manufacture of batteries. The image was acquired on June 29, 2013.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Kondyor Massif in Eastern Siberia, Russia, is a rare form of igneous intrusion called alkaline-ultrabasic massif and it is full of rare minerals. The river flowing out of it forms placer mineral deposits. The image was acquired on June 10, 2006.
The Kondyor Massif in Eastern Siberia, Russia, is a rare form of igneous intrusion called alkaline-ultrabasic massif and it is full of rare minerals. The river flowing out of it forms placer mineral deposits. The image was acquired on June 10, 2006.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The ephemeral streams exiting the Zagros Mountains, Iran, form large semi-circular alluvial fans, where the water moves through the subsurface towards the flat desert plains. At the interface between the two, the water is forced closer to the surface, and is more easily accessible from wells. Rainwater here is scarce and villagers rely on subterranean water supplies for irrigation. This image was acquired on Oct. 12, 2004.
The ephemeral streams exiting the Zagros Mountains, Iran, form large semi-circular alluvial fans, where the water moves through the subsurface towards the flat desert plains. At the interface between the two, the water is forced closer to the surface, and is more easily accessible from wells. Rainwater here is scarce and villagers rely on subterranean water supplies for irrigation. This image was acquired on Oct. 12, 2004.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
High sediment load in the Hugli River Delta, India, is evident by the light tan colors in the water, particularly downstream from off-shore islands. The deep green colors of some of these islands are mangrove swamps. Image acquired on Jan. 6, 2005.
High sediment load in the Hugli River Delta, India, is evident by the light tan colors in the water, particularly downstream from off-shore islands. The deep green colors of some of these islands are mangrove swamps. Image acquired on Jan. 6, 2005. NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
The Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco, formed as a result of the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates about 80 million years ago. In this image, short wavelength infrared bands are combined to dramatically highlight the different rock types, and illustrate the complex folding. The yellowish, orange and green areas are limestones, sandstones and gypsum; the dark blue and green areas are underlying granitic rocks. The image was acquired on June 13, 2001.
The Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco, formed as a result of the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates about 80 million years ago. In this image, short wavelength infrared bands are combined to dramatically highlight the different rock types, and illustrate the complex folding. The yellowish, orange and green areas are limestones, sandstones and gypsum; the dark blue and green areas are underlying granitic rocks. The image was acquired on June 13, 2001.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve in Namibia's vast Namib Desert, and is the largest game park in Africa. Coastal winds create the tallest sand dunes in the world here, with some dunes reaching 300 meters in height. The image was acquired Oct. 14, 2002.
Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve in Namibia's vast Namib Desert, and is the largest game park in Africa. Coastal winds create the tallest sand dunes in the world here, with some dunes reaching 300 meters in height. The image was acquired Oct. 14, 2002.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems/U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team

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