Oregon State University

Real-time Satellite Images

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Ask a scientist ...

What are the black areas in the chlorophyll satellite images?
The black areas are regions either covered by clouds or outside the view of the satellite. The wavelengths of light used to "see" chlorophyll in the ocean can't go through clouds, so it is not possible to see chlorophyll in those areas.

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All images on this website are freely available to the public for educational and scientific use.
Website curator:
Jasmine S. Nahorniak
Last update: April 25 2007