This picture might calculate like an incomplete map of the world , but it is in fact the highest resolution see ever of all the world ’s plant spirit , mapped out by NASA ’s Suomi NPP orbiter .
Using its seeable and Infrared Imaging and Radiometer Suite ( VIIRS ) , the planet ’s capable of measuring the amount of seeable and near - infrared light chew over from the surface of the planet . Because vegetation absorbs seeable visible radiation to drive photosynthesis but reflects near - infrared light , it ’s possible to map out where flora lies by expect at the proportion of the two .
Each pixel on the orbiter image correspond to 500 beat , which mean that the satellite ended up acquiring 330 megabyte of datum every min for a whole week to make the map . It ’s not just for beauty ’s sake , though ; compare information like this calendar week - on - week or yr - on - year helps scientists predict all kinds of thing , from drought and wildfire , to irruption of malaria . [ New Scientist ]
Image by NOAA
DataSatelliteScience
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