Why do we explore? Simply, it is part of who we are, something we've done throughout history. NASA's new video, "We Are the Explorers," looks at that tradition of reaching for things just beyond our grasp, and how it's helping lay the foundation for our greatest journeys ahead.

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What Doesn't Stay in Vegas? Sprawl.




In honor of Landsat 5's 28th birthday today (March 1st) here's how the desert city of Las Vegas has gone through a massive growth spurt. The outward expansion of the city is shown in a false-color time lapse of data from all the Landsat satellites.

The large red areas are actually green space, mostly golf courses and city parks. You'll notice the images become a lot sharper around 1984, that's when new instrument designs greatly increased their sensitivity.

These Las Vegas images were created using reflected light from the near-infrared, red and green portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (Landsat 5 TM bands 4,3,2 and Landsat 1-3 MSS bands 4,2,1).

Landsat data have been instrumental to our increased understanding of forest fires, storm damage, agricultural trends, and urban growth. Studies using Landsat data have helped land managers keep track of the pace of urbanization in locations around the world.

The next Landsat satellite, now known as LDCM and later as Landsat 8 is scheduled for a launch in January 2013.

www.nasa.gov/Landsat

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What's Up March 2012



Not a week goes by this month where there isn't an amazing planetary view. Mars is at Opposition - meaning it's visible all night log and is closest to Earth in its 2-year orbit. Plus, planets paired with the moon for easy Identification.

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Wandering Stars: a tour of the planets

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ScienceCasts: Auroras Underfoot