From the Ground Up: Building an Earth Science Satellite (Part 3) Before a satellite is launched into orbit, scientists use instruments on NASA aircraft to calibrate, validate, and refine sensors that are part of current and future satellite payloads. In this video, data systems analyst Eric Fraim explains how an instrument called MASTER (MODIS Airborne ASTER Simulator) is being used to further develop Earth observing satellites. Flying on board NASA’s high-altitude ER-2, MASTER can detect therma

These animations illustrate several key elements of plate tectonics and show examples of how Earth's tectonic plates have moved over time. Watch Pangea split apart and form the modern continents, see mountains form in western North America and watch India collide with Asia. Animations created by Christopher R. Scotese, PALEOMAP Project/Northwestern University, and Ben A. van der Pluijm, University of Michigan. Read more about plate tectonics here: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/