[davidrs]

From Wired Science:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/11/earth-as-art-gallery/

"The U.S. Geological Survey released a new selection of particularly interesting images from the Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellites. These space craft have been prolific sources of data for earth scientist, but the new shots were chosen solely based on aesthetics.

We've selected our favorites from the USGS's Earth as Art collection in this gallery, which will take you on a tour of the world from the glaciers of Antarctica to the deserts of Algeria."

Or go to USGS.

Here is one to give you a feel for the types of images:




- David.

[Levi]

Thanks for sharing David.  The color on that picture was so vivid it almost gave me a headache. 

[davidrs]

Thanks for sharing David.  The color on that picture was so vivid it almost gave me a headache. 

You are welcome, Levi.

The Wired images are higher quality, in my opinion, than those accessible from the USGS.

Not meant to give headaches, though! 

There are more images available at the USGS, but as mentioned above, are smaller in size and with my monitor come across in much lower resolution (and I have a pretty high rez capable monitor).

- David.

[ltr317]

Stunning images.      Thanks for sharing.

[JohnR]

Personally, I've never really been a fan of false-color images. It's one of those things that (like HDR, for example) can be used to great effect, but it also very easily can become a bit glib (for want of a better word).

Sorry

[nathanm]

I didn't like the one posted, but there are some cool ones in the set—very painterly looking.  Even without creative adjustments, I think satellite images of earth are quite beautiful as is.  Although I suspect some favorable enhancements may be going on there as well.  When I worked on images for EAA magazines, taking out the blue atmospheric haze was standard practice.