Earth's Oceans From Space

April 14, 2024

While NASA is usually associated with deploying satellites into orbit and exploring distant planets, one of its lesser-known but critically important roles is studying Earth's oceans from space. As vast and mysterious as outer space, our oceans cover more than 70% of the planet's surface and play a central role in Earth's climate system, weather patterns, and ecosystem health.

The Earth's oceans act as a massive heat and carbon sink that absorbs about one-third of the carbon dioxide that humans produce, mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, this comes at a cost, including ocean acidification and significant changes to water temperatures, which in turn affect marine life and global weather patterns. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting future climate conditions and for managing our natural resources more sustainably.

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