This image shows one of the first complete views of the contiguous United States captured by the Landsat 8 satellite. On Feb. 11, 2013, NASA launched Landsat 8 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and 100 days later transferred operational control to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Landsat 8 then joined its predecessor satellites in providing a continuous record of change across Earth's land surfaces since 1972. Producing one of the longest-running satellite data sets of any kind, the Landsat program gives scientists around the world an invaluable benchmark to document and study our changing planet. Landsat satellites observe natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, glacial retreat, floods, and forest fires, as well as human-induced processes such as urban expansion, crop irrigation, and forest clear-cutting.

To learn more about how this image was produced, go to: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=83099

To learn more about Landsat 8, go to: www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-usgs-landsat-8-satellit...

To learn more about NASA's plans to study Earth in 2014, go to: www.nasa.gov/earthrightnow

NASA image use policy.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook