Explorer

In Pictures: The ABCs of Earth Taught Through 26 Old Images From Space Shared By NASA

NASA Earth Observatory in a 2015 photo story tracked down all 26 letters of the English alphabet using satellite imagery and astronaut photography. Here is a look at the 26 images.

NASA Earth Observatory in a 2015 photo story tracked down all 26 letters of the English alphabet using satellite imagery and astronaut photography. Here is a look at the 26 images.

Imagine exploring the vast landscapes of Earth from space and finding the letters of the alphabet hidden in clouds, rivers, and mountains. That's exactly what NASA Earth Observatory did. Using satellite imagery and astronaut photography, they embarked on an epic quest to track down all 26 letters of the English alphabet, embedded in the natural and ephemeral features of our planet. From the swirling dust clouds forming an "S" to the sharp bends of rivers shaping a "Y", each letter presents a moment of discovery.

1/26
'A' IN THE CURSIVE: On January 22, 2014, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station photographed Utah's Green River as it looped back on itself, showcasing a striking geological feature called Bowknot Bend. Photo: NASA
'A' IN THE CURSIVE: On January 22, 2014, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station photographed Utah's Green River as it looped back on itself, showcasing a striking geological feature called Bowknot Bend. Photo: NASA
2/26
BEAUTIFULLY GREEN: On August 4, 2014, Landsat 8’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) snapped this shot of the Arkansas River winding through the Holla Bend Wildlife Refuge. During the winter, the refuge often becomes home to 100,000 ducks and geese. Photo: NASA
BEAUTIFULLY GREEN: On August 4, 2014, Landsat 8’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) snapped this shot of the Arkansas River winding through the Holla Bend Wildlife Refuge. During the winter, the refuge often becomes home to 100,000 ducks and geese. Photo: NASA
3/26
CALCIUM-CARBONATE-Y WHITE: This photograph of an artificial island at Bahrain's southern tip was taken by an astronaut on January 23, 2011. The white sand on tropical islands like this is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, formed from marine organisms' shells and skeletons. Photo: NASA
CALCIUM-CARBONATE-Y WHITE: This photograph of an artificial island at Bahrain's southern tip was taken by an astronaut on January 23, 2011. The white sand on tropical islands like this is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, formed from marine organisms' shells and skeletons. Photo: NASA
4/26
DARN GOOD: Akimiski Island in James Bay was captured in this image by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper aboard Landsat 7 on August 9, 2000. Photo: NASA
DARN GOOD: Akimiski Island in James Bay was captured in this image by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper aboard Landsat 7 on August 9, 2000. Photo: NASA
5/26
EASY TO SPOT? On October 25, 2009, NASA’s Aqua satellite, using its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), recorded this view of a phytoplankton bloom off New Zealand's coastline. Photo: NASA
EASY TO SPOT? On October 25, 2009, NASA’s Aqua satellite, using its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), recorded this view of a phytoplankton bloom off New Zealand's coastline. Photo: NASA
6/26
'F' FOR REAL: The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard Landsat 8 captured this vivid false-color image on August 4, 2014, showing snow-covered mountain ranges and valleys in southeastern Tibet. Firn, a granular type of snow, appears on the surface before compressing into ice. Photo: NASA
'F' FOR REAL: The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard Landsat 8 captured this vivid false-color image on August 4, 2014, showing snow-covered mountain ranges and valleys in southeastern Tibet. Firn, a granular type of snow, appears on the surface before compressing into ice. Photo: NASA
7/26
GO FOR 'G': Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took this image of 'G'-shaped Pinaki Island in the Pacific Ocean April 2001. Photo: NASA
GO FOR 'G': Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took this image of 'G'-shaped Pinaki Island in the Pacific Ocean April 2001. Photo: NASA
8/26
H(OLI) MOLEY, THAT'S AN 'H'! On August 30, 2014, rivers cutting through colourful ridges in southwestern Kyrgyzstan were captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. Photo: NASA
H(OLI) MOLEY, THAT'S AN 'H'! On August 30, 2014, rivers cutting through colourful ridges in southwestern Kyrgyzstan were captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. Photo: NASA
9/26
I LOVE ANDAMANS! Captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite on February 10, 2007, this image shows the Andaman Islands surrounded by bright coral reefs that were uplifted after an earthquake near Sumatra in 2004. Photo: NASA
I LOVE ANDAMANS! Captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite on February 10, 2007, this image shows the Andaman Islands surrounded by bright coral reefs that were uplifted after an earthquake near Sumatra in 2004. Photo: NASA
10/26
JE SUIS 'J': The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 captured this view of the Trunk Reef near Townsville, Australia, on July 17, 2015. Photo: NASA
JE SUIS 'J': The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 captured this view of the Trunk Reef near Townsville, Australia, on July 17, 2015. Photo: NASA
11/26
KNOW THIS ONE? On August 3, 2015, Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI) captured a stunning image of glaciers at Sirmilik National Park in Canada’s Pond Inlet. Photo: NASA
KNOW THIS ONE? On August 3, 2015, Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI) captured a stunning image of glaciers at Sirmilik National Park in Canada’s Pond Inlet. Photo: NASA
12/26
'L' FOR LOVE: Snow blanketing the northeastern United States on October 30, 2008, was captured by NASA’s Aqua satellite, using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Photo: NASA
'L' FOR LOVE: Snow blanketing the northeastern United States on October 30, 2008, was captured by NASA’s Aqua satellite, using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Photo: NASA
13/26
MADE BY NATURE: On August 14, 2015, the glaciers of the Tian Shan mountains in northeastern Kyrgyzstan were photographed by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. The dark brown line running through the glacier is a medial moraine, where sediment collects as glaciers merge. Photo: NASA
MADE BY NATURE: On August 14, 2015, the glaciers of the Tian Shan mountains in northeastern Kyrgyzstan were photographed by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. The dark brown line running through the glacier is a medial moraine, where sediment collects as glaciers merge. Photo: NASA
14/26
NO DOUBT THAT'S AN 'N': NASA's Terra satellite, with its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), captured this image of ship tracks across the Pacific Ocean on March 4, 2009, showing how particles from ships help clouds form.
NO DOUBT THAT'S AN 'N': NASA's Terra satellite, with its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), captured this image of ship tracks across the Pacific Ocean on March 4, 2009, showing how particles from ships help clouds form.
15/26
OH SO PERFECT! On January 24, 2008, NASA’s Terra satellite, using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), captured this striking image of the Tenoumer meteorite crater in Mauritania, formed between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago. Photo: NASA
OH SO PERFECT! On January 24, 2008, NASA’s Terra satellite, using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), captured this striking image of the Tenoumer meteorite crater in Mauritania, formed between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago. Photo: NASA
16/26
PURELY 'P': On August 4, 2005, NASA’s Terra satellite, equipped with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), snapped this false-color image of Canada’s Mackenzie River Delta. Photo: NASA
PURELY 'P': On August 4, 2005, NASA’s Terra satellite, equipped with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), snapped this false-color image of Canada’s Mackenzie River Delta. Photo: NASA
17/26
QUITE A 'Q': This image of India’s Lonar Crater, formed by a meteorite impact, was acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite on November 29, 2004. The presence of shocked quartz hints at the intense force of the impact. Photo: NASA
QUITE A 'Q': This image of India’s Lonar Crater, formed by a meteorite impact, was acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite on November 29, 2004. The presence of shocked quartz hints at the intense force of the impact. Photo: NASA
18/26
READ THE 'R': Lago Menendez in Argentina, with its reflective surface, was captured in this image taken on January 20, 2015, by Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI). Photo: NASA
READ THE 'R': Lago Menendez in Argentina, with its reflective surface, was captured in this image taken on January 20, 2015, by Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI). Photo: NASA
19/26
SERPENTINE 'S': On April 29, 2009, swirling clouds over the Atlantic Ocean were recorded by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite. Photo: NASA
SERPENTINE 'S': On April 29, 2009, swirling clouds over the Atlantic Ocean were recorded by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite. Photo: NASA
20/26
THAT LOOKS LIKE A TREE: Development along two roads in the United Arab Emirates was photographed by Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI) on March 9, 2015. Photo: NASA
THAT LOOKS LIKE A TREE: Development along two roads in the United Arab Emirates was photographed by Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI) on March 9, 2015. Photo: NASA
21/26
'U' FOR UTAH: This image of Gooseneck State Park in Utah was captured by the Ikonos satellite on May 9, 2004. Photo: NASA
'U' FOR UTAH: This image of Gooseneck State Park in Utah was captured by the Ikonos satellite on May 9, 2004. Photo: NASA
22/26
VERY VERY 'V': On March 23, 2015, snow surrounding Russia’s Shiveluch volcano was blanketed with volcanic ash, as seen in this image from Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI). Photo: NASA
VERY VERY 'V': On March 23, 2015, snow surrounding Russia’s Shiveluch volcano was blanketed with volcanic ash, as seen in this image from Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager (OLI). Photo: NASA
23/26
WOW! NASA’s Terra satellite, equipped with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), captured this view of dust blowing across the Red Sea on January 13, 2009. Photo: NASA
WOW! NASA’s Terra satellite, equipped with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), captured this view of dust blowing across the Red Sea on January 13, 2009. Photo: NASA
24/26
'X' IT IS! The northwest corner of Greenland’s Leidy Glacier, shown in this false-color image, was photographed on August 7, 2012, by NASA’s Terra satellite using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). Photo: NASA
'X' IT IS! The northwest corner of Greenland’s Leidy Glacier, shown in this false-color image, was photographed on August 7, 2012, by NASA’s Terra satellite using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). Photo: NASA
25/26
YES, THAT'S A 'Y': The Ugab River in Namibia was captured in this false-color image on December 25, 2000, by NASA’s Terra satellite with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). Photo: NASA
YES, THAT'S A 'Y': The Ugab River in Namibia was captured in this false-color image on December 25, 2000, by NASA’s Terra satellite with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). Photo: NASA
26/26
ZILLIONS OF SMOKE PARTICLES: Wildfire smoke over Canada on July 11, 2012, was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite. Photo: NASA
ZILLIONS OF SMOKE PARTICLES: Wildfire smoke over Canada on July 11, 2012, was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite. Photo: NASA

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