Science

Favorite Images From Landsat's Amazing 40-Year Record of Earth From Space

As the brand new Landsat 8 satellite hits orbit today, extending the record-breaking lifespan of the Landsat Earth-observation mission, we're looking back at some of our favorites among the millions of images taken by Landsat 5 and Landsat 7. From 1,000-foot-high sand dunes in Namibia and crazy-looking South Pacific clouds to an odd circular structure in Africa and the incredible expansion of Las Vegas into the surrounding desert, these are some of the Landsat images that have made the most impact on us (and we have looked at a lot of these images over the years).
Image may contain Nature Outdoors Scenery Water Ocean Sea Landscape Land Shoreline and Aerial View
  • Mauritania
  • Hawaii
  • Myanmar
1 / 10
mauritania
Volcanic dome known as the Richat structure in Mauritania, taken by Landsat 7 on Jan. 11, 2001. (USGS/NASA)

As the brand new Landsat 8 satellite hits orbit today, extending the record-breaking lifespan of the Landsat Earth-observation mission, we're looking back at some of our favorites among the millions of images taken by Landsat 5 and Landsat 7.

From 1,000-foot-high sand dunes in Namibia and crazy-looking South Pacific clouds to an odd circular structure in Africa and the incredible expansion of Las Vegas into the surrounding desert, these are some of the Landsat images that have made the most impact on us (and we have looked at a lot of these images over the years).