The SNPP mission has restored data collection following a spacecraft anomaly that occurred on 26 July 2022. The VIIRS calibration team is evaluating the data to determine any impacts the two-week outage may have had on data quality. This evaluation may take several weeks to complete. Until such time as this analysis is complete and any calibration adjustments can be made, users are cautioned against using these data for scientific analyses.

NASA's OceanColor Web is supported by the Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Our responsibilities include the collection, processing, calibration, validation, archive and distribution of ocean-related products from a large number of operational, satellite-based remote-sensing missions providing ocean color, sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity data to the international research community since 1996.

Ocean Color Feature

Black Sea

Large turquoise swirls of phytoplankton blooms can be seen dancing through the waters of the Black Sea in this image captured on July 23rd, 2022 by the Aqua MODIS sensor.

The Black sea is the largest inland body of water and is also the largest meromictic basin, which means the movement of water between the lower and upper layers of the Sea is rare. This creates considerable temperature and nutrient differences between these layers, with the lower layers being absolutely free of oxygen and anoxic. This complex water chemistry is fueled by extensive freshwater inputs from multiple large rivers and rainfall, with salt water exchanges with the Aegean Sea only through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Strait.

This image was captured by Aqua/MODIS on July 23, 2022. Read more about this feature.

Visit the image gallery archive for additional ocean color features.

Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center (OB.DAAC)

The OBPG serves as a DAAC for satellite ocean biology data produced or collected under NASA EOSDIS, including those from historical missions and partner space organizations. OB.DAAC is a member of the ICSU World Data System.

SeaDAS

SeaDAS is an image analysis package for the processing and display of satellite ocean color data.

SeaBASS

SeaBASS is a repository of in situ oceanographic data to support algorithm development and satellite data product validation activities.

Field Support Group

The OBPG maintains a Field Support Group that collects in situ data, engages in community measurement protocols activities, and hosts an HPLC phytoplankton pigment processing facility.