Images
September 29, 2026 - Bolivian Salt Pans and Snow-capped Mountains
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On September 23, 2026, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this beautiful false-color image centered on Bolivia.
This early spring image highlights the massive Salar de Uyuni and the smaller Salar de Coipasa in the Bolivian Altiplano. Mountain-top snow tops the Andes Mountains along the border of Bolivia and Chile while high, cold clouds float over the Pacific Ocean along the Chilean Coast.
MODIS bands 7-2-1 are used to create the false-color scene, which shows highly reflective areas in a bright electric-blue tone. This includes the salt pans and snow, which would appear bright white in true-color images. The same blue slightly tints the clouds, indicating that they almost certainly contain ice crystals at their tops. Liquid water also appears blue, with deeper water looking darker blue. Looking at the Salar de Coipasa one can see that this salt pan is not entirely dry but contains water at its northeast extent. Deep ocean water appears nearly black. In addition, open land looks tan and vegetation show as green.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 9/23/2026
Resolutions:
1km (213.4 KB), 500m (518.6 KB), 250m (344.7 KB)
Bands Used: 7,2,1
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
On September 23, 2026, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this beautiful false-color image centered on Bolivia.
This early spring image highlights the massive Salar de Uyuni and the smaller Salar de Coipasa in the Bolivian Altiplano. Mountain-top snow tops the Andes Mountains along the border of Bolivia and Chile while high, cold clouds float over the Pacific Ocean along the Chilean Coast.
MODIS bands 7-2-1 are used to create the false-color scene, which shows highly reflective areas in a bright electric-blue tone. This includes the salt pans and snow, which would appear bright white in true-color images. The same blue slightly tints the clouds, indicating that they almost certainly contain ice crystals at their tops. Liquid water also appears blue, with deeper water looking darker blue. Looking at the Salar de Coipasa one can see that this salt pan is not entirely dry but contains water at its northeast extent. Deep ocean water appears nearly black. In addition, open land looks tan and vegetation show as green.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 9/23/2026
Resolutions:
1km (213.4 KB), 500m (518.6 KB), 250m (344.7 KB)
Bands Used: 7,2,1
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
