Learn

Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, and tools.

NASA Earth science data provide a wealth of information to aid in our understanding of Earth’s interrelated processes, in developing innovative solutions for real-world challenges, and in making data-based decisions. Here are a few resources to get you started.

Card image cap
Get Started

New to using NASA Earth science data? Exploring new areas of research? Looking for tools to help analyze and work with data? The Get Started page will introduce you to the resources you need to discover, visualize, and work with NASA Earth science data.

Card image cap
What is Remote Sensing?

Remote sensing is the acquiring of information from a distance. Read about how remote sensors enable data-informed decision-making based on the current and future state of our planet.

Card image cap
Our Open Data Policy

NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program promotes the full and open sharing of all data, metadata, documentation, models, images and research results, and the source code used to generate, manipulate, and analyze them.

Choose your learning adventure

From Data Pathfinders to webinars, choose your preference for discovering, downloading, and processing the data you need.

Card image cap
Data Pathfinders

Data Pathfinders guide users through the process of selecting application-specific datasets and learning how to use them through intuitive tools, facilitating equal and open access to the breadth of NASA Earth science data.

Card image cap
Data User Profiles

These profiles highlight our diverse end-user community worldwide. Each profile demonstrates how and where Earth observation data are being used for research and applications.

Card image cap
Webinars and Tutorials

NASA tutorials include step-by-step instructions to help users, while data discovery and access webinars span the Earth science disciplines.

Take a deeper dive

This section provides a greater understanding of our data. Choose one of the topics below to take a deeper data dive.

Card image cap
Data Latency

Several factors affect the speed at which data are processed and made available to users. Here's how NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) defines data latency.

Card image cap
Data Processing Levels

Review the descriptions of data processing levels ranging from Level 0 to Level 4 for NASA EOSDIS data products.

Card image cap
Essential Variables

Consistent measurements of Essential Variables, as identified by subject matter experts, need to be maintained over time to accurately monitor and assess change to our home planet, including the atmosphere, biosphere, land, and ocean.

Card image cap
What is Synthetic Aperture Radar?

Learn more about SAR, a type of active data collection where a sensor produces its own energy and then records the amount of that energy reflected back after interacting with Earth.

Card image cap
GIS Resources

Discover, explore, and access GIS content to help you better understand Earth Science using NASA's free and open data. Using GIS, you can leverage NASA's Earth Observations to perform analysis, create maps, and develop applications.

Image from space of a satellite with a green laser projecting downward at the Earth
Esri StoryMaps

From flooding to drought, NASA Earth science data is used to better understand our planet and how to protect its resources. Learn more by exploring our interactive StoryMaps.

More Resources

Acronym and Symbol List

Acronym and symbol list for NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System

Glossary

Glossary page for NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System