Features

Image from TERRA
Terra Observes Shark Bay, Australia
Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:50 EDT

Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, seen here in an image from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on the Terra spacecraft on Dec. 30, 2010, is a special site.

Image from TERRA
Katmai National Park
Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:24 EDT

The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, located in Katmai National Park, forms a unique and ashen landscape. Encircled by volcanoes – both active and inactive – it has served as a perfect collection area for huge amounts of volcanic ash.

Image from TERRA
Eyes on the Snow as Water Supplies Dwindle
Tue, 20 Sep 2022 10:30 EDT

Water departments in the West are using maps and models originally created by a NASA team to help track water.

Home › About Terra › Terra Instruments

Terra Instruments

Terra collects data about the Earth’s bio-geochemical and energy systems using five sensors that observe the atmosphere, land surface, oceans, snow and ice, and energy budget. Each sensor has unique features that enable scientists to meet a wide range of science objectives. The five Terra onboard sensors are:

  • ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer)
  • CERES (or Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System)
  • MISR (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer)
  • MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
  • MOPITT (Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere)

Because all five instruments are on the same satellite making simultaneous observations, scientists are able to compare different aspects of Earth’s characteristics over time.

TERRA Teamwork