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