Book 18, Question 97
How Can Satellites Find Penguins From Space?
Satellites can find penguins from space by spotting their droppings! The droppings stain the ice and rocks a reddish brown. That color can be seen from far, far above.
More fun facts
- Scientists find emperor penguin colonies by spotting their poop on the ice in satellite images.
- A big brown stain on sea ice means penguins are there.
- Many colonies are in places too hard to reach by land.
- Satellites have revealed new emperor penguin colonies this way.
- Satellites have also been used to track polar bears.
Sources: NASA, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
How do satellites spot penguins?
Scientists look for big brown stains of penguin poop on the ice in satellite images.