Tags: NASA, Earth Observation, Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership, JPSS
Publication: ScienceWorldReport.com
Publication Date: 06/25/2013

NASA’s Suomi NPP satellite produced depiction of worldwide vegetation. Image credit: NASA/NOAA

A year’s worth of data led to NASA’s Suomi NPP satellite’s depiction of worldwide vegetation, providing insight to changes over time.

Suomi NPP is one in a series of satellites purposed to divulge the dynamics of Earth, including its clouds, oceans, vegetation and ice. The satellite also serves as a connection between the Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the future series of Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites.

The images created by Suomi NPP display the differences between the fertile and infertile areas of Earth. The Visible-Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite identifies changes in the reflection of light, creating images that measure vegetation changes over time. The data will be integrated into Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) or NDVI-based products and services. The vegetation index observes plant growth, vegetation cover and biomass production. It is also vital for developing models that calculate global temperatures and the effect of climate change.

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