Where Can I Find Multispectral Images of the Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the search for multispectral images of Earth, specifically focusing on images taken in frequencies beyond the visible spectrum, including X-ray imagery. Participants explore the feasibility and sources of such images.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the availability of X-ray images of Earth, suggesting that such images must exist.
  • Another participant humorously questions the practicality of a "giant, planet-sized X-ray imager."
  • A suggestion is made to use Google for finding these images.
  • One participant notes having seen X-ray images of the Sun, implying that similar images of Earth should be possible, but admits to not finding them.
  • A participant explains that to obtain measurable X-ray intensity, temperatures exceeding 105K are necessary, which Earth does not reach, unlike the Sun.
  • Wien's displacement law is referenced to illustrate that the Earth's surface temperature results in emissions primarily in the infrared spectrum, making it invisible to X-ray cameras.
  • Another participant reiterates the initial inquiry and mentions NASA satellites that provide images in other spectra, clarifying that these are often visualizations of sensor data rather than traditional photographs.
  • A specific NASA resource (GOES) is provided as an example of where to find such multispectral data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and feasibility of X-ray images of Earth. While some acknowledge the limitations based on temperature and emission spectra, others maintain that such images should be available, leading to an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the availability of X-ray imagery of Earth and the conditions necessary for such imaging. There is also a reliance on specific definitions of what constitutes an image versus a visualization.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in remote sensing, astrophysics, or Earth observation may find this discussion relevant.

binbots
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Where can I find pictures of the Earth taken from different frequences of light other than the visible spectrum? There has to be X ray pics of the planet.
 
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You mean taken with the giant, planet sized x-ray imager?
 
Google
 
Well I have seen x ray images of the sun. So I assume they can take the same picture of the earth. I looked around and could not find these pics.
 
To have a reasonably measurable intensity in the x-ray region, I believe you'd need temperatures in excess to 105K. You get that easily from the hot parts of the sun, but not so much from the earth.

The Earth radiates primarily in the IR regime. Have you looked within the NASA website? They've been measuring the Earth's emission spectrum for lots of years now.
 
Wien's displacement law, \lambda_{max}=\frac{b}{T}, shows the relationship between the temperature of a body and the frequency of the radiation it re-emits. \lambda_{max} is the peak wavelength in meters, T is temperature in Kelvin, and b is Wien's displacement constant, which is 2.897 x 10^{-3} m K.

If you plug in the Earth's surface temperature, you get wavelengths in the infrared.

Since it isn't putting out any x-rays it would be invisible to an x-ray camera.
 
Last edited:
binbots said:
Where can I find pictures of the Earth taken from different frequences of light other than the visible spectrum? There has to be X ray pics of the planet.

Many of the NASA satellites are pictures at other spectrums (i.e. they're not actually pictures, they're visualizations of various sensor data.)

GOES is a good example: http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/goeseastconusir.html
 
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