NASA's ocean color satellite instruments are more sensitive than the human eye, surveying our global oceans in a few hours. But what are they sensing: Plants? Animals? Something else? Why does ocean color vary in time and place? Can we detect whether microscopic marine organisms are potentially harmful? Follow the links below to discover more about the connections between marine ecology, light's behavior in ocean water and satellite observations. We have also keyed material to Educational Content Standards.

"Phytopia" is an educational CD-ROM that provides a window to the fascinating world of the oceans' microscopic life. Order on-line by clicking here.

Our material is linked to Educational Content Standards developed by the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. (Copyright 1997 - 2000).
Developed of this website was supported by NASA. To submit a review of this site to the Digital Library for Earth System Education, please click the button at left. Comments about this website may also be sent directly to Annette deCharon.