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   Home >  Life on Earth >  The Earth >  The Earth Overview


 
Life on Earth linkLife on Earth
 Introduction
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arrowlink icon Overview
 Crystal-Face
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Humans in Space linkHumans in Space
Exploring the Universe linkExploring the Universe
About NASA AMES Research Center linkAbout NASA Ames
       Research Center



Life on Earth
The Earth


The view of the first 'Earthrise' from Apollo 8 on Dec. 22, 1968 sparked a worldwide effort to better understand and protect the Earth. NASA is and will continue to be in the forefront of this effort.

NASA is focused on developing a scientific understanding of the Earth as a whole system and its response to natural or human-induced changes. NASA's research on the Earth focuses on the following five questions:

  • How is the global system changing?
  • What are the primary forces of the Earth system?
  • How does the Earth system respond to natural and human-induced changes?
  • What are the consequences of change in the Earth system for human civilization?
  • How well can we predict future changes in the Earth system?

Answering these questions is vital to understanding the Earth and protecting it for future generations. Focusing on the science issues associated with global change, NASA Ames' research is particularly concerned with atmospheric and ecosystem science and biosphere/atmosphere interaction. Ames also develops sensors and other technologies to monitor crops, natural resources and disease outbreaks as part of NASA's studies of planet Earth.