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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 2h

Let's play 'Where on Earth?' 🔍 Here's a hint: This city is also known by a rather colourful nickname. Can you name the city?

Satellite image of a densely built city divided by a winding river and several bridges, with the text “#WhereOnEarth?” across the top.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 20/10/2026

MetOp-SG-B1 has arrived at Europe's Spaceport! The weather satellite reached French Guiana aboard Canopée after 10 days at sea. It will now spend a short period in storage before preparations for its Ariane 6 launch, expected later this year. More🔗 www.esa.int/Applications...

The photo shows some team members and a welcoming flag as the Canopée, carrying MetOp-SG-B1 and essential equipment, arrive at Pariacabo harbour in French Guiana.
Credits: ESA-CNES-AVIO/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin

Canopée with MetOp-SG-B1 docked at Pariacabo harbour.
Credits: ESA

The photograph shows the satellite prior to being placed in its shipping container.
Credits: ESA–P. Sebriot

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 19/10/2026

Copernicus Sentinel-3C has more to show us👀 On 2 October, its Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer captured this false-colour image of Hurricane Rachel over the eastern Pacific Ocean. The image was taken using the instrument's visible channels: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

False-colour satellite image captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3C on 2 October 2026, showing Hurricane Rachel over the eastern Pacific Ocean. Thick white clouds spiral around the storm's centre, while the Baja California Peninsula and western Mexico are visible to the north and east, with vegetation appearing red.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/10/2026

Antarctic sea ice, as winter comes to an end 🛰️ This Copernicus Sentinel-3 image shows ice reaching the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea. 🔗 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Satellite view of dark open ocean meeting fragmented sea ice and swirling clouds, with small icebergs scattered in the water.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/10/2026

Europe’s night is changing... and so are the impacts on biodiversity and health. This week at ESRIN, experts gathered for the 2nd European Workshop on Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing, to map the path to better satellite observations of artificial light at night.

Large group photo of about 60 workshop participants posing at the entrance of ESRIN.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 09/10/2026

Namibia's biggest salt pan, spanning roughly 130 km. In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 false-colour image of Etosha Pan, vegetation appears red and water in shades of blue. Look closely and you'll spot red patches on the salt pan itself, suggesting vegetation is present. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

False-colour satellite image of Namibia’s Etosha Pan, showing a large pale blue salt pan surrounded by red vegetation and scattered turquoise lakes and wetlands.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026

And there's more! Sentinel-3C's radar altimeter has also returned its first measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet. This animation shows measurements collected between 30 September and 4 October, an early indication that the instrument is performing well.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026

First images are in! Just weeks after launch, Copernicus Sentinel-3C has sent back images captured by its Ocean and Land Colour Instrument, showing Central Europe, the Canadian Arctic and the Caribbean: www.esa.int/Applications... 📷contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), processed by ESA

Satellite view of Italy, the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, showing snow-covered mountains and bands of cloud stretching across western Italy and the Mediterranean.

Satellite image of the Caribbean Sea, showing the Bahamas, Cuba and surrounding islands beneath scattered clouds, with a large swirling storm system west of the Bahamas.

Satellite image of the Canadian Arctic, showing snow- and ice-covered islands, sea ice, and dark channels of open water. Thin cloud bands stretch across the frozen landscape.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026

A new 'Where on Earth?' is here 🌍 Take a closer look and tell us where you think this location is.

False-color satellite image from above with the text '#WhereOnEarth?' at the top. Vivid red areas, indicating vegetation, cover most of the scene, with a patchwork of small fields in the upper left. In the lower left, a coastline borders turquoise and white shallow waters.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 07/10/2026

Lakes come in more colours than blue 🔵 Green, turquoise, brown... satellite images can reveal an unexpected palette, from algae, sediment and the mixing of different waters. These Copernicus Sentinel images take us to Lake Tai in China, Lake Trasimeno in Italy and Lake St. Clair in North America.

Satellite view of Lake Tai, China, showing green algae blooms across the lake and dense urban areas surrounding the shoreline.

Satellite view of Lake Trasimeno in central Italy, showing bright green water surrounded by farmland, wooded hills and scattered towns.

Satellite image of Lake St. Clair between Canada and the United States, showing turquoise and green swirls in the water, surrounded by urban areas, wetlands and agricultural land.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026

Typhoon Surigae over the Philippine Sea 🌀 On 28 September, Copernicus Sentinel-1 captured this false-colour, polarised radar image of the sea beneath the storm. Calmer seas at its eye appear dark blue, while orange and yellow show rough conditions and strong winds. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Satellite radar image of a large hurricane seen from above, with a dark, circular eye at its center and swirling bands of gold and blue spiraling outward across the ocean surface.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026

IRIDE’s Eaglet II constellation is complete🛰️ The final satellites reached orbit on 1 October, equipped with multispectral sensors that will capture images of Earth’s surface for applications including land monitoring, coastal observation and emergency mapping. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications... 📸SpaceX

A white rocket with a dark band near its base climbs diagonally through a clear blue sky, trailing a bright orange-white exhaust plume.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026

'Where on Earth': Special edition Can you name this sea?

Image with the text “#WhereOnEarth?” in large white letters at the top. The background is a colourful, in shades of orange, yellow, turquoise and blue, framed by a thin white border.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026

EarthCARE tracked Anak Krakatau’s volcanic plume 🌋 Following the eruption on 4 September, the satellite captured the plume’s vertical structure, revealing layers of ash, gases and aerosols at different altitudes and supporting aviation safety. More 👉 www.esa.int/Applications...

This image uses a capture from Copernicus Sentinel-3 on 5 September overlaid with data from EarthCARE’s MSI, ATLID and CPR instruments. The image also notes aircraft flight levels: most aircraft cruise around FL350, which means 35,000 ft (about 10,700 m).

Credits: ESA (contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), modified by ESA)

Image showing before and after the eruption of Anak Krakatau. The “before” image is from 08 August and the “after” image is from 15 September.

Credits: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), modified by ESA

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 29/09/2026

What if a lake just…disappeared?🫥 Ephemeral lakes fill after heavy rain, then disappear as the water evaporates or drains away. Despite being temporary, they can provide important habitats and breeding areas for wildlife. 🎞️contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017, 2024), processed by ESA.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/09/2026

Can you spot the boat traffic?👀 Venice's story has always been written on water. In this IRIDE image, boat wakes criss-cross the Venetian Lagoon while shifting shades of blue reveal changing water conditions. Beyond the city, wetlands and salt marshes support wildlife. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

False-colour satellite image of Venice and its lagoon. The city appears as a pink-orange island surrounded by turquoise waters marked by boat wakes, with nearby wetlands, channels and barrier islands visible across the lagoon.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026

Fancy a chat about Earth observation? 🤖 Ameca and Frankie are two humanoid robots that let people interact with EVE, ESA Φ-lab’s Earth Virtual Expert, simply by talking to them, helping users explore satellite imagery and more through natural conversation. 🔗 philab.esa.int/exploring-ev...

Humanoid robot displayed on a table at an indoor event or exhibition. The robot has a realistic grey face, a transparent section on the top of its head showing internal components, and a white torso, while people stand nearby in the foreground and background observing it.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026

Can you guess where this location is? This week's "Where on Earth" is full of clues, if you look at it from a different angle.🕵️

ALT text: Satellite image of a coastal city surrounded by bright turquoise waterways and small islands. Narrow canals weave through densely built urban areas, while boat wakes streak across the water. The image is framed as a "Where on Earth?" quiz.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 23/09/2026

Who is ready for a change of season? 🍂🌱 The September equinox marks autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern, as the Sun crosses the equator. MTG-I1 captured it from space ⤵️ 📹 @esa.int / @eumetsat.int

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 22/09/2026

The Earth Observation Virtual Constellation is growing. ESA Φ-lab & the EOVC consortium are looking for new collaborators, bringing together space and ground assets that can dynamically coordinate their activities as part of a unified system. Find out more: philab.esa.int/esa-%CF%86-l... 📷CS Group

Artist’s impression of several satellites orbiting Earth in a coordinated network. Bright lines connect the spacecraft, illustrating data exchange above the planet’s curved horizon against a star-filled backdrop.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 18/09/2026

Things get colourful high in the Andes 👀 False colour brings out the contrasts in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of the Andean Altiplano, home to volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons, including Laguna Colorada, a shallow salt lake known for its red waters and flamingos. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Satellite image in false-colour of a mountainous volcanic region, with snow-covered peaks and ridges scattered across a dry, rugged landscape in shades of brown, tan and green. Numerous bright blue lakes and crater lakes dot the terrain, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding snow and volcanic landforms.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026

Where on Earth is this? Over to you! Share your guess ⤵️

Satellite image of a mountainous landscape dusted with snow, cut by branching valleys and ridges. Two striking turquoise-blue lakes stand out near the centre-right, contrasting with the surrounding brown and white terrain.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/09/2026

Nearly 5 decades of satellite data reveal the scale of polar ice loss🧊 Using data from 27 missions, including @esa.int's CryoSat & Copernicus Sentinels, a new study found that Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tonnes of ice since the 1970s: www.esa.int/Applications... 📹Otosaka et al(2026)

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Did you miss the overnight launch? 🚀 Catch the highlights from the liftoff of ESA’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C aboard Vega-C, launching two Earth observation missions on one rocket. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 📹 ESA

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 11/09/2026

Did you know that plants glow? 🌱 The signal is invisible to our eyes, but ESA’s FLEX mission will measure it from space to learn more about photosynthesis and plant health. Ahead of launch, discover 10 quirky facts about plant fluorescence 👉 www.esa.int/Applications... 📷ESA/ATG medialab

Illustration of FLEX measuring plants' glow from space.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 11/09/2026

VOCALIS 2026 registration is now open! Join experts and stakeholders from 21–25 September 2026 to discuss Sentinel-3 validation, CRISTAL Cal/Val preparations and future strategies for cryosphere and hydrology missions. 🔗 Register by 18 September: vocalis2026-workshop.noveltis.fr

VOCALIS 2026 - Validation of Operational Copernicus Altimetry over Land water and Ice Surface.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 11/09/2026

The rocky formations of Halong Bay, in Vietnam 🇻🇳 Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, the bay is home to a cluster of islands and islets. In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, you can spot Cát Bà island, Halong and open-pit coal mines along the coastline. 🔗 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of striking rocky formations amid the blue waters of Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 10/09/2026

Calling media representatives 📣 Join us at ESA’s ESOC on 15 September for the FLEX & Sentinel-3C launch re-watch, mission updates and a chance to engage with senior representatives from the organisations behind Europe’s latest EO missions. Register by 11 September: www.esa.int/Newsroom/Pre...

Artist's illustration showing FLEX in tandem with Sentinel-3.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 10/09/2026

Are you up for a challenge?👀 Where on Earth do you think these islands are?

Satellite image of a coastal landscape with numerous islands, turquoise and deep-blue waters, and urban and vegetated areas. Text reads '#WhereOnEarth?'

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 09/09/2026

A show you won't want to miss!🚀 ESA's FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C are scheduled to launch on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September, 22:21 local time) from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. 📺Follow the livestream on 15 September at 02:50 CEST. www.esa.int/Applications... 📷ESA-P. Carril

Illustration showing Vega-C fairing opening to reveal Sentinel-3C and FLEX over Earth.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/09/2026

Have you submitted your abstract for the 2nd European Workshop on Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing? Join us at ESRIN to explore measurement techniques, applications of artificial nighttime lighting across different fields & potential societal benefits. 🔗 nikal.eventsair.com/optical-nigh...

Promotional graphic for ESA's 2nd European Workshop on Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing, taking place 12-15 October 2026 at ESA-ESRIN in Frascati (Rome), Italy. A nighttime view of Earth is overlaid with glowing blue data streams and binary code, with satellites orbiting in a star-filled space background.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/09/2026

Volcanic plume rises from Anak Krakatau 🌋 Copernicus Sentinel-3 captured this image on 5 September, a day after the eruption began. The white plume shows volcanic gases carried high into the atmosphere, while brown clouds of ash and debris drift at a lower altitude. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Copernicus Sentinel-3 image showing Anak Krakatau erupting in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. A long plume of ash and smoke extends westward over the ocean.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 04/09/2026

Who needs artificial colouring when we have sediment? The Ebro River, in Spain, discharges more water into the sea than any other river in Spain and, as sediment flows from the river’s mouth, it tints the waters with a turquoise hue. Access the image: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

The Ebro Delta on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, where turquoise river sediments spread into the dark blue sea in swirling patterns.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 03/09/2026

Time for a new 'Where on Earth quiz 🌍 Where do you think this location is?

Satellite image of a coastline with turquoise waters, a sandy peninsula, farmland and urban areas. Text reads “#WhereOnEarth?”

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 03/09/2026

Our last photos of the @esa.int FLEX and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites! The spacecraft are now inside the fairing of the Vega-C rocket, scheduled to take them both to space on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September at 22:21 local time). www.esa.int/Applications... 📷ESA–M. Pédoussaut

Sentinel-3C and FLEX ready for encapsulation.

FLEX and Sentinel-3C being sealed from view.

Vega-C fairing holding FLEX and Sentinel-3C.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/09/2026

What if photosynthesis was visible? 🔎 FLEX will make it so, by mapping fluorescence from a Sun‑synchronous low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 815 km. How? FLEX is equipped with the Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer, an instrument designed to detect and map this delicate glow from space.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/09/2026

The latest ESA InCubed x Spanish Space Agency call resulted in 8 new projects! These projects focus on improving Earth observation-based wildfire applications by increasing prevention, detection & response: philab.esa.int/eight-new-ea... 📸contains Copernicus Sentinel data(2025), processed by ESA

A Copernicus Sentinel-3 image, captured on 17 August 2025, is a wide view of France, Spain and Portugal and is dominated by smoke billowing from fires in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 31/08/2026

A second comparison focuses on the area around the glacier. On the left, the Copernicus Sentinel-2 image shows the area on 24 August, before the collapse, while on the right, the Landsat-9 image captured it on 26 August, around two hours after the event. Read more: www.esa.int/Applications...

Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image captured on 24 August 2026, showing the mountainous Nepal–China border region before the glacier collapse.

Satellite image of the Nepal–China border region captured on 26 August 2026, shortly after the glacier collapse. The glacier is labelled in Nepal, with flood water and debris visible flowing west through the valley. Snow and ice appear bright blue, while clouds cover large parts of the mountainous region.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 31/08/2026

On 26 August 2026, a glacier collapse on Langtang Lirung triggered a flash flood and debris avalanche in northern Nepal. Copernicus Sentinel-2 images from 12 and 27 August show the affected region before and after the event, revealing the increase in river water.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of central Nepal captured on 12 August 2026, before the flash flood. The green mountainous landscape is crossed by the Trishuli River, with Kathmandu visible to the southeast and scattered clouds across the region.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of central Nepal captured on 27 August 2026, after the flash flood. The Trishuli River appears wider and filled with sediment. Kathmandu is visible to the southeast.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 28/08/2026

Oh, to be a camera at the launch of MTG-I2 📸🚀 Good thing we had a few! Here are 4 of our favourite views from last night's launch. 📸 @esa.int - S. Corvaja

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 27/08/2026

We hear you, MTG-I2! 📶 The satellite just send down its first signal. Fair to say there's plenty of smiling at the launch site today 😄

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 27/08/2026

Thanks for the ride, @transport.esa.int 👋 MTG-I2 just separated from Ariane 6: the satellite will now slowly move from Geostationary Transfer orbit to Geostationary orbit, its final destination.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 27/08/2026

Weather looks good at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana 😎 And look at that rocket! Join us live for liftoff at 22:10 CEST on watch.esa.int/two and www.youtube.com/live/vzytcrG.... @eumetsat.int @transport.esa.int @esa.int

Ariane 6 launch vehicle stands on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The rocket is viewed from a low angle, emphasising its height, while lightning towers, floodlight masts and launch infrastructure frame the scene. In the second image, Ariane 6 is positioned inside the open mobile gantry, with ESA and CNES logos visible on the structure as the rocket prepares for rollout and launch operations.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 27/08/2026

Don't forget to join us later today to watch the MTG-I2 launch! 📺Livestream starts at 21:42 CEST. 🚀Liftoff is planned for 22:10 CEST from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 6 rocket equipped with two P120C boosters.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 26/08/2026

Welcome to Lake Maracaibo, in northwestern Venezuela 🇻🇪 The vase-shaped lake is linked to the Gulf of Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea. It is considered the largest lake in South America! Full image: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo, the largest natural body of water in South America.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/08/2026

Our "Where on Earth?" quiz arrives early this week. Any idea where this dark green swirl might be? 👀

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/08/2026

Earlier this month, a 76 sq km section of Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland broke away. The newly formed tabular iceberg covers an area about the same size of Manhattan and is estimated to be up to 150 metres thick. This huge loss was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar vision ⬇️

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 21/08/2026

Welcome to the Hainan Strait, in southern China 🇨🇳 This strait separates Guangdong's Leizhou and Hainan. It also connects the Gulf of Tonkin to the South China Sea. Although narrow and shallow, the strait is a crucial maritime passage! Full image: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of the Hainan Strait in southern China.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 20/08/2026

Where on Earth are we this week? 🌍 Let us know what you think in the comments!

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 19/08/2026

Everyday is busy when you have a launch in just 8 days! 😬 Teams at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana connected MTG-I2 to its payload adapter, the primary interface between the satellite and the rocket. MTG-I2 is set for liftoff on an Ariane 6 rocket on 27 August at 22:10-00:40 CEST. Stay tuned!

Teams inside a cleanroom connecting MTG-I2 to its payload adapter.

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