Welcome to the LSU Earth Scan Lab. The ESL is a satellite data receiving station and image processing facility for environmental data from six unique earth observing sensor systems. We specialize in real-time access to satellite imagery and measurements of the atmosphere, oceans and coastal areas within the Gulf of Mexico / Caribbean Sea region, data which we obtain directly from satellite transmissions to three antennas on LSU rooftops. These data have many applications for research, education, and state emergency response. Our imagery is particularly valuable for monitoring and studying environmental processes which change relatively rapidly such as weather, coastal currents and surface fronts (rips), movements of the Loop Current and eddies, algal blooms, and vegetation changes.

Each hurricane season, we provide real-time and continuous surveillance of changes in the atmosphere and ocean using GOES-12 geostationary satellite data. You can access current status, model plots and other informational data about the active and archived storms on our Hurricane page. Current research on hurricane processes and coastal impacts can be found here. The attached image shows the newly outfitted research and training lab.

Our Web page also showcases satellite imagery of the Gulf Coast region which is updated daily, research publications, research projects, info on satellites, their orbits and schedules, K-12 education events such as Ocean Commotion, and the history of the ESL. To the left is a MODIS true color Katrina image captured by our X band antenna. To the right is an image showing Gulf of Mexico sea surface temperature and sea surface height conditions leading to Katrina's intensification over the Loop Current. For additional products, feel free to spend some time browsing the site. These research products have been made possible by dedicated staff members and the able assistance of graduate and undergraduate students. Any questions or comments can be addressed to personnel on the contacts page. Welcome!