rhamphotheca:

Stunning View of a Phytoplankton Bloom From Space

by Phil Plait

This shot of a bloom in the southern Atlantic Ocean was taken by the ESA’s Envirosat, which — duh — is designed to observe our environment. In this case, scientists keep a keen eye on phytoplankton blooms: while this bloom is breathtaking and gorgeous, many can be hazardous. Besides producing toxins that can harm sea life, they can also consume more oxygen in the water than usual, which is obviously tough on any life in the area. The color of the bloom can be found quickly using satellite imagery like this, and the algae species determined. Also, phytoplankton are sensitive to some climate changes, so observing them can act as a “canary in the coal mine” for climate change.

Sometimes, the best view of the Earth around us is from above. And sometimes that view is amazing, but a reminder that our ecosystem is a dynamic balance… and it’s best that we understand all the forces that can upset that equilibrium.

(via: Bad Astronomy - Discover Magazine)               (image: ESA)

rhamphotheca:

Supernova remnant SNR 0519-69

(image: Claude Cornen/NASA/ESA)

(via 2headedsnake)

britneys-unicorn:

Time Lapse Images of Earth at Night Taken From the International Space Station

(via countthesloths)

lesstraveledby:

“I Saw the Future,” played by Natalia Paruz on the musical saw, composed by Scott Munson

as featured in the film Another Earth, dir. Mike Cahill

/ via scottmunsonmusic.com

This song takes me to space, so fucking gorgeous. Loved this movie <3

cloudjunky:

Ursa Minor & Ursa Major

Esther Aarts

fer1972:

Spacespacespace by Mathiole 

julienfoulatier:

Painting by Karen Arm.

julienfoulatier:

Painting by Karen Arm.

julienfoulatier:

Painting by Karen Arm.