While clouds obscure the Yucatan Peninsula, nearly all of Mexico north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is clearly visible. The Gulf of California, Baja, and the San Joaquin Valley of California are identifiable as well. In the upper right corner the northern polar cap appears with pressure fronts emanating to the south. Earth , our planet, is the only planet in the solar system known to harbor life. All of the things we need to survive are provided under a thin layer of atmosphere that separates us from the uninhabitable void of space.
Earth is made up of complex, interactive systems that are often unpredictable.
Air, water, land, and humans themselves combine forces to create a constantly changing world that we are striving to understand. NASA, in partnership with other U.S. and international agencies, has been studying Earth as an integrated system. Viewing Earth from the unique perspective of space provides the opportunity to see Earth as a whole. Scientists around the world have discovered many things about our planet by working together and sharing their findings. Some facts are well known.