November 16 is GIS Day! GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems, and today we celebrate this innovative technology that allows us to see our world through a spatial lens. GIS provides an intuitive way to gather, visualize, and analyze geographic information to help us better understand patterns, trends, and phenomena based on their location. NASA uses GIS to visualize Earth observation data collected from a constellation of satellites integrated with other information to analyze relationships and impacts in areas across the globe.
The vision of NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program is to identify and deliver high value Earth science data in formats compliant and compatible with GIS standards; to ensure data are interactive, interoperable, accessible, and GIS-enabled through primary GIS platforms; and to provide the maximum impact to research, education, and public user communities requiring data visualization and spatial analysis. To further these goals, ESDS created the ESDS GIS Team (EGIST) to enable the appropriate use and adoption of GIS technology in support of Earth science research and applied science for data in NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) collection.
As you celebrate GIS Day 2022, learn more about how NASA uses this technology through the Earthdata GIS at NASA page, the GIS Backgrounder, and the GIS Data Pathfinder. More detailed instructions for working with GIS are available on the Earthdata GIS Tutorials and How-Tos page.
Below are a few snapshots showcasing examples of GIS use at NASA Earth science. Click on the snapshot or the snapshot title to learn more.
