Suggested Searches

Earth Science Projects Division

Science and Applications

Each of our missions link to NASA’s strategic objectives and the six science focus areas below. The seventh Earth Science goal is: Further the use of Earth system science research to inform decisions and provide benefits to society. In support of this goal, the development, distribution, and archive of ESM project data products complies with NASA’s Earth Science Data Policy via its Earth Science Data and Information Systems (ESDIS) project and other methods to ensure that NASA data are fully and openly available, without restrictions.

Science and Applications

On Mar. 1, 2023, NASA's Juno mission completed its 49th close flyby of Jupiter. As the spacecraft flew low over the giant planet's cloud tops, its JunoCam instrument captured bands of high-altitude haze forming above cyclones in an area known at Jet N7.

Atmospheric Composition

Advance the understanding of changes in the Earth’s radiation balance, air quality, and the ozone layer that result from changes in atmospheric composition

The teal and deep blue waters of The Bahamas are seen from the International Space Station as it orbited roughly 260 miles above. To the left of the image, the Andros island can be seen, while Nassau is shown to the right.

Water and Energy Cycle

Enable better assessment and management of water quality and quantity to accurately predict how the global water cycle evolves in response to climate change

Weather

Improve the capability to predict weather and extreme weather events

Climate Heat Map of Earth

Climate Variability and Change

Advance the understanding of changes in the Earth’s radiation balance, air quality, and the ozone layer that result from changes in atmospheric composition

NASA’s New data visualization of global methane uses a computer model to show methane’s ethereal movements and illuminate its co

Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems

Detect and predict changes in Earth’s ecological and chemical cycles, including land cover, biodiversity, and the global carbon cycle

A brown and green island, centered in the middle of the image, surrounded by a dark blue ocean with wispy swirls of greens and teals that illustrate blooms of phytoplankton.

Earth Surface and Interior

Focus on the geophysical processes and parameters involving the Earth’s land surfaces such as surface temperature, soil moisture, vegetation cover, frozen ground, and land use.

Resources and Data

Image showing city lights of the United Statees

NASA Science

The four elements of NASA’s Earth Science Division (ESD) ― Flight, Research and Analysis (R&A), Applied Sciences (ASP), and the Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) ― work together from mission concept to conclusion to both enhance existing Earth observations and find new ways to analyze our living planet.

Earth Science Applied Sciences

The Applied Sciences Program provides funding and support for the partner organizations and research scientists who are using these observations to solve the world’s toughest challenges. From local communities to national governments and from the United States to every region of the world, our collaborative projects have outsized impact.

Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco

EOS Project Science Office

As a major component of the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA's EOS Project Science Office (EOSPSO) enables an improved understanding of the Earth as an integrated system. EOSPSO is committed to bringing program information and resources to the Earth science research community and the general public alike.

A data visualization of sea ice extent in the Arctic, which reaches just out from the pole, to Greenland and reaching no other landmasses. A yellow line indicates the 1981-2010 average sea ice minimum extent. It extends considerably farther out than the current ice.

SVS Earth Science

Resources from NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) supports the development of climate data and computer models that leverage observations. These datasets include observations of sea surface height, temperature, and salinity; ocean currents and vector winds; sea ice extent and thickness; glacial topography, motion, and mass change; aerosol and cloud processes that affect Earth’s energy balance; and more.

hyperwall

Explore Earth

NASA monitors the Earth’s vital signs from land, air and space with a fleet of satellites and ambitious airborne and ground-based observation campaigns.

Climate Resource Center

NASA’s Global Climate Change website hosts an extensive collection of global warming resources for media, educators, weathercasters and public speakers. Browse by topic and by media type, including videos, social media shareables, infographics, quizzes and interactives.

Earth Observatory

The Earth Observatory’s mission is to share with the public the images, stories, and discoveries about the environment, Earth systems, and climate that emerge from NASA research, including its satellite missions, in-the-field research, and models.