Satellite Images of the World in 2017

An image of hurricane Maria taken by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli from on board the International Space Station on Sept. 21, 2017. Photo: ESA/NASA.

Like most years, 2017 was a mixture of great triumphs, inconceivable tragedies and controversial events whose lasting impacts on history remain to be seen. 2017, however, also marked a flagship year for the Earth Observation (EO) market, as companies such as DigitalGlobe and Planet continue to loft more powerful satellites than ever before. We’re quickly reaching a point where no meter on Earth will go unmonitored, which is equal parts unnerving and advantageous.

Here’s a small selection of some of the events that shaped the world in 2017, and what they looked like captured by the satellites orbiting silently above.

Women’s March

The inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump was quickly overshadowed by one of the largest mass protests in the country’s history. More than half a million people gathered in Washington, D.C. alone to advocate for policies and legislation supporting women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and other politically charged issues.

The Women’s March in Denver, Colorado, on January 21, 2017. Photo: DigitalGlobe.

U.S. Airstrike in Syria

In response to the Syrian government’s chemical attack on its own civilians, on April 7 the U.S. military launched dozens of missiles at the airbase from which the attack originated. According to The New York Times, President Trump stated the missile launch was in the interest of U.S. national security, and was a signal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that the U.S. would not turn a “blind eye” to the use of such weapons.

Aftermath of the U.S. airstrike on Al Shayrat airfield in Syria. Photo: DigitalGlobe.

Aftermath of the U.S. airstrike on Al Shayrat airfield in Syria. Photo: ImageSat International.

Destructive Atlantic Hurricane Season

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most remarkable in decades, generating 17 storms in total that caused a record-breaking $369.86 billion in damages. Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey were particularly intense when they made landfall, and places such as Puerto Rico and Texas are still recovering months later from their impact.

GOES 16 captured this image of three Atlantic hurricanes simultaneously: Katia (L), Irma (M), and Jose (R). Photo: NOAA.

DigitalGlobe’s WorldView 2 satellite shows the extensive flooding in Brookshire, Texas, after Hurricane Harvey made landfall. Photo: DigitalGlobe.

The Great American Eclipse

For the first time since 1918, a total solar eclipse crossed the entire contiguous U.S., drawing in spectators from around the globe. 14 states were lucky enough to see full totality on Aug. 21, and satellites tracked the enormous shadow as it streaked across the landscape.

DigitalGlobe’s WorldView 2 satellite shows an encampment of eclipse watchers in Big Summit Prarie, Oregon. Photo: DigitalGlobe.

NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) captured images of the moon’s shadow crossing over North America on Aug. 21. EPIC is aboard NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory. Photo: NASA.

Larsen Ice Shelf Fractures

According to the BBC, scientists estimate that 2017 will likely be the third warmest year on record, with the average global temperature 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than pre-Industrial figures. As a proxy for the unabated progression of climate change, satellites watched as an iceberg larger than Delaware cleaved off of the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

The existing rifts in #LarsenC are accentuated in the latest #sentinel1 image showing iceberg #A68a bumping in pic.twitter.com/vNkOqKFuqy

— Stef Lhermitte (@StefLhermitte) December 27, 2017

This natural-color image was captured on Sept. 11 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. Photo: NASA.

California Burns for Weeks

Parts of both Northern and Southern California burned for weeks on end after climate conditions triggered some of the largest wildfires in the state’s history.

DigitalGlobe uses a Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) sensor built by Harris on its WorldView 3 satellite to penetrate the smoke and detect heat beneath. Photo: DigitalGlobe.

Thank you to all the first responders, firefighters, and citizens willing to help fight these California wildfires. #CaliforniaWildfirespic.twitter.com/TyeGx4z85Q

— Randy Bresnik (@AstroKomrade) December 7, 2017

ISIS Forces Weaken in Iraq

After months of fighting, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared Mosul free from Islamic State control in July. Syrian troops also recaptured Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital for the past three years, in October, a critical milestone in the battle against the Middle East’s extremist threat.

DigitalGlobe’s WorldView 2 satellite captured this image of Syrian forces gathered in Raqqa’s iconic Al-Naim square surrounded by the ruins of destroyed buildings. Photo: DigitalGlobe.