One sometimes forgets that NASA is more heavily involved with the home planet than the rest of the solar system. For just one example, their satellites provide images of the earth used for countless projects. The most recent one -- in celebration of Earth Day and the space agency's five earth-centric missions this year -- is less scientific and more artistic in nature. The space agency is asking people to take "selfies" (or simply a picture of themselves or a group) while holding up a sign (above picture) noting their location. NASA will collect the photos via Twitter (#globalselfies), Instagram, Facebook, Google +, and Flickr, and organize the final product into a mosaic of earth, Space.com reported.
"The year 2014 is a big one for NASA Earth science," NASA wrote on their website. "Five NASA missions designed to gather critical data about our home planet are launching to space this year. NASA is marking this big year for Earth science with a campaign called Earth Right Now, and as part of this campaign the agency is asking for your help this Earth Day, April 22.
While NASA satellites constantly look at Earth from space, on Earth Day we're asking you to step outside and take a picture of yourself wherever you are on Earth. Then post it to social media using the hashtag #GlobalSelfie."
It's not exactly clear how NASA will put together the pictures. Probably, they'll match photos to their actual location on a map for one of the most exact and inexact maps ever created. Whatever they do, the task seems monumental. Yet, they promise to have it finished by May, according to their website.
The Global Selfie map is just one of many events NASA has planned in celebration of Earth Day. From April 21-27, they've organized a trove of exhibits and activities in their centers throughout the country. For the full schedule, see space.com.
