Shuman contributes to EO Item on Landsat program LEAPS

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:44:40 -0400
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In a recent Earth Observatory item, "Scenes from the Polar Night," the ability for the Landsat-8 and -9 satellites to see in the dark is highlighted. Scientists discovered that with the 2022 launch of LEAP, Landsat Extended Acquisitions of the Poles, they can track the surface of ice in winter, "even with low or no light." From the mosaic of images collected by Landsat, a clear view of the details and variety of ice features is revealed. Glaciologist Christopher Shuman (615/UMBC) comments, "The contrast between the cold polar ice and the warmth that’s preserved in the ocean waters is so evident." Read more about this enlightening discovery.

ABOUT LANDSAT

The NASA/USGS Landsat Program provides the longest continuous space-based record of Earth’s land in existence. Landsat data give us information essential for making informed decisions about Earth’s resources and environment.