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There are additional sites for satellite imagery and maps that are useful for either learning how to use satellite imagery or for gathering information about environmental conditions in your region.
Satellite Imagery for Training
EarthShots, created by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), provide decades of satellite imagery for different sites around the globe. Valuable articles accompany data for each site. Download images to your computer and use the following software to analyze the data in the images: FalseColor, SurfaceType, MVHimage, LandsatAnalysis, and VegetationAnalysis. Download guided activities to learn to use the images and software described above (Word PDF) and accompanying teacher guides (Word PDF).
EarthKAM allows students to coordinate taking digital pictures from the International Space Station through NASA. Imagery may be processed using the PixelView, ColorPicture, and MVHimage software. Guided activities are under development and will be available soon.
Take a tour of the globe with Google Earth. Although not yet available for Macintosh computers, their web site suggests a version is being developed.
View the United States with aerial photographs using Terraserver USA. Cannot download images, but a good start in using aerial photographs.
Free Imagery and Maps of Environmental Data
NASA's Earth Observatory data sets may be used with MVHimage, plus use the many articles that describe research and provide training and background information. Also, see the Blue Marble Next Generation data sets.
NASA's Visible Earth, which provides a number of data sets and animations for many Earth systems science processes.
The Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) provides a wealth of satellite data, which will need proper software to process, visualize, and analyze the data. Consider using the free Multispec software from Purdue University to work with the satellite data.
There are a number of data sources provided at the Earth Systems Information Partners (ESIP) web site.
PollenViewer: Interactive, animated viewer of color-coded maps showing the how the distribution of plant species changed over the past 21,000 years as the ice sheets retreated northward in North America. Activity to use MVHimage with the maps is under development with the Earth Exploration Toolbook.
Free State Resources
Get to know your state's resources, in particular your state Geographic Information Systems (GIS) organization. For example, there are a wealth of data provided by MassGIS.
Many states also provide free digital aerial photographs for download. For example, see the aerial photos available Massachusetts.
Search for historic USGS topographic maps, such as the site for New England.
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