On October 18, 2008, NASA captured an image of Hurricane Omar as it churned through the Caribbean Sea. This significant event was designated as the MODIS Image of the Day, highlighting the storm's presence and characteristics.
Details of the Image
The image provided a crucial look at Hurricane Omar, a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted several islands in the Caribbean. Capturing such events is vital for weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate research.
Below are key details regarding the image:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Subject | Hurricane Omar |
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Date | October 18, 2008 |
| Instrument | MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) |
Understanding MODIS Imagery
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a key instrument aboard NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites. These satellites play a crucial role in providing continuous global observations of Earth's land, ocean, and atmosphere.
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Purpose: MODIS collects data to monitor large-scale global changes, including:
- Cloud cover and atmospheric aerosols
- Ocean and land surface temperature
- Vegetation properties and land cover changes
- Fires, floods, and severe weather events like hurricanes
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Hurricane Monitoring: For events like Hurricane Omar, MODIS imagery provides vital information such as the storm's size, structure, and intensity, helping meteorologists track its path and predict its impact. This high-resolution data allows scientists to better understand the dynamics of tropical cyclones.
For more information on Hurricane Omar and the role of satellite imagery in monitoring such natural phenomena, you can explore resources from the NASA Earth Observatory.
