ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/10/2026Antarctic 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... 0244 24
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/10/2026Europe’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. 0150 15
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 14/10/2026Can music tell the story of a changing Earth? Find out at Signals during ADE in Amsterdam on 25 October, with audiovisual performances inspired by satellite data and a panel discussion! More details👇 0121 12
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 13/10/2026Great news for European weather forecasting👇 0254 25
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 13/10/2026On thin ice, every detail counts🧊 Researchers at the Arctic University of Norway used 30 years of satellite radar data to map different ice types, including thin ice forming in narrow openings that allow heat to pass between the ocean and atmosphere. 🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...earth.esa.intUnlocking decades of Arctic sea ice change with Heritage radar data - Earth OnlineUsing three decades of radar observations from ESA missions, scientists have accurately mapped sea ice types at a scale of 100 metres across the Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean. 0171 17
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 12/10/2026Say hello to EVE 👋 @esa.int's Earth Virtual Expert is now live. Powered by AI, it brings together trusted scientific sources to answer questions about Earth observation and Earth science, whatever your level of expertise. Find out more: www.esa.int/Applications...esa.intIntroducing ESA’s Earth Virtual ExpertThe European Space Agency (ESA) has released Earth Virtual Expert (EVE), a platform powered with Artificial Intelligence (AI), to make Earth observation information more accessible and easier to under... 363 6
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 09/10/2026Namibia'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... 0247 24
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026And 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. 0196 19
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026First 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 13814 38
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026A new 'Where on Earth?' is here 🌍 Take a closer look and tell us where you think this location is. 2157 15
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 07/10/2026Lakes 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. 0304 30
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 06/10/2026Putting DestinE data to work for climate policy ✍️ A researcher in Barcelona is using DestinE climate data to develop an AI model that estimates the potential impact of urban policies, including on land surface temperature. Read on🔗 destination-earth.eu/news/the-mis...destination-earth.euThe missing link between climate policy and climate data – and how a researcher is helping bridge it with DestinE - Destination EarthCities pledge to plant trees, expand green space and cut emissions. But how much of a difference will those actions actually make? One researcher is teaching an AI model to find out – and Destination ... 080 8
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 05/10/2026Mapping the world’s forests in 3D🌳 New data from @esa.int's Biomass mission measure forest canopy height from space, even in dense tropical forests. These measurements can improve estimates of above-ground biomass and the carbon stored in trees. Read the story🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/eo...earth.esa.intForests in 3D: Biomass Data Insights - Earth OnlineForests are often considered in terms of the land area they occupy - their two-dimensional extent. However, forests also vary greatly by height and density - the third dimension. By considering forest... 0225 22
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026Typhoon 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... 210821 108
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026IRIDE’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 2489 48
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026'Where on Earth': Special edition Can you name this sea? 0102 10
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026EarthCARE 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... 0336 33
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 30/09/2026Old satellite data still have plenty to tell us🔍 @esa.int FDR4VGT project is enhancing more than 20 years of observations from SPOT-VGT and PROBA-V, creating a consistent long-term record for studying Earth’s land surface and climate. earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...earth.esa.intEnhancing 20 years of global daily land monitoring with FDR4VGT - Earth OnlineESA's Fundamental Data Record for VGT (FDR4VGT) project is improving the quality and consistency of more than two decades of global daily land monitoring observations. 0182 18
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 29/09/2026What 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. 0142 14
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 28/09/2026What started as an experiment is now the world's largest SAR constellation. Since 2018, @esa.int has worked with ICEYE to bring its radar data to users, from disaster response to maritime monitoring, through Third Party Missions and Copernicus Contributing Missions. 🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...earth.esa.intHow ESA helped ICEYE scale from start-up to strategic partner - Earth OnlineWhen ICEYE launched its ICEYE-X1 satellite in January 2018, the Finnish company was testing an unproven idea: that a radar imaging satellite weighing less than 100 kilograms could deliver high-resolut... 0181 18
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/09/2026And then there were three🛰️ ESA’s Programme Board for Earth Observation has selected ECO, Keystone and CryoRad to progress to the next phase toward Earth Explorer 12. The three concepts would investigate Earth’s energy balance, the upper atmosphere & polar ice sheets. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications...esa.intThree Earth Explorer candidates go forward 1134 13
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/09/2026Can 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... 0229 22
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026Fancy 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... 171 7
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026Can 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.🕵️ 8214 21
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 23/09/2026Who 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 216448 164
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 22/09/2026The 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 2182 18
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 21/09/2026What if we could 'see' beneath the desert sands? 🏜️ Designed primarily to study forests, @esa.int’s Biomass mission is also helping scientists investigate ancient river systems hidden beneath the Sahara, thanks to its unique P-band radar. Read the full story🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...earth.esa.intBiomass helps study ancient rivers below deserts - Earth OnlineScientists have been using satellites for decades to study hydrological structures hidden below the sand in deserts. Now, with its unique P-band synthetic aperture radar, Biomass is playing a role too... 13512 35
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 18/09/2026False-colour keeps everyone on their toes 😉 010 1
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 18/09/2026Things 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... 15712 57
Reposted by ESA Earth ObservationESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 17/09/2026After 34 intense hours, the team at @esa.int’s #ESOC completed the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C, following its launch alongside #FLEX on 15 September. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible. 👏 📷ESA/J.Mai 1303 30
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026ESA has awarded contracts to ICEYE and Leonardo for architecture studies supporting the future Earth Observation Governmental Service. These studies contribute to the ERS-EO programme, a strategic effort to strengthen Europe’s resilience, security and autonomy. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications...esa.intESA awards contracts for Europe’s EOGS blueprintThe European Space Agency has awarded two contracts, one to ICEYE and one to Leonardo, to carry out parallel architecture studies for the EU’s future Earth Observation Governmental Service (EOGS).Thes... 1316 31
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026Where on Earth is this? Over to you! Share your guess ⤵️ 2172 17
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/09/2026Nearly 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) 12519 25
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026Using EarthCARE to fine-tune climate models ☁️ Scientists compared EarthCARE observations with a regional climate model and found mismatches in how some clouds were represented, helping identify where the model could be improved. Read more 👇 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...earth.esa.intEarthCARE helps scientists fine-tune climate models over Greenland - Earth OnlineEarthCARE makes a range of measurements that together shed new light on the role that clouds and aerosols play in regulating Earth’s climate. In a recent study, scientists used a regional climate mode... 0191 19
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026Did 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 0206 20
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026Two satellites launched, two signals received 📡 FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C are both in orbit and in contact with ground control. 0364 36
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026ESA's FLEX has joined the chat!✅ First contact with our newest Earth Explorer has been established. 0222 22
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026End of the line for FLEX! 🛰️ ESA’s FLEX satellite has separated from Vega-C and is officially flying solo. Thanks for the ride, @transport.esa.int 👋 0222 22
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026And… we’re connected! Copernicus Sentinel-3C has just sent back its first signall! 📢 0296 29
ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026Update from space ✨ Copernicus Sentinel-3C just separated from the Vega-C rocket, leaving onboard only the FLEX spacecraft, due to separate later. 0132 13