Geoscientist will show Earth as art

February 19, 2013

Marmian Grimes

Meghan Murphy
907-474-7541
2/18/13

For the past 40 years, satellites orbiting the earth have been taking pictures of the world, its oceans and its landmasses. The satellite images document change, but they also document something else:  the Earth’s beauty.

University of Alaska Fairbanks geoscientist Anupma Prakash show satellite images of the Earth and lead a conversation about the art and science behind them during a free public event Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at College Coffeehouse.

“The beauty of the mountains, glaciers, deserts, forests and tundra is not only for the local residents or rich tourists. Satellite images virtually take you to any place on planet Earth that you can dream of,” said Prakash, who works with hundreds of satellite images as part of her remote sensing research.

The satellite images will be from a collection called “Earth as Art.” The U.S. Geological Survey created the collection by digitally coloring some of their satellite images to show how textures and patterns in landscapes can convey beauty.

The talk will kick off the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics’ Color of Nature science cafe series, which will engage scientists and members of the community in conversations about art in science.  For more information, call 907-474-7221.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A satellite image is available for download at www.uafnews.com

MM/2-18-13/0205-13