Life on Earth depends completely on the conversion of sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. During this process, plants emit back certain frequencies of light, known as chlorophyll fluorescence. NASA scientists have been using satellites to measure this on a global scale to determine changes in plant health. This is an amazing advancement for the field of xenobiology and the surveying of other plants for life.
Future uses of this technology could allow for farmers to prepare for extreme weather and determine areas with an upcoming shortage of food.
This is a global map of land plant fluorescence showing greater photosynthetic activity during summer months in both hemispheres. (source)
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