The Reef from Space

Every day, two NASA Earth Observing System satellites named "Terra" and "Aqua" pass over the Great Barrier Reef, capturing image data as they go. The AIMS X-band Satellite Ground Station receives data directly from these satellites and within a few hours new images are made available through this page.

These colour images are produced by combining data from three of the satellites’ spectral bands, one each from the red, green and blue parts of the visible spectrum. This produces an image similar to what might be obtained with a digital camera on the spacecraft.

The 'Reef from Space' archives - use your back button to return here.

The reef as seen today