# NASA Earth Imagery MCP

> NASA Earth Imagery & Natural Events gives you two feeds: full-disk satellite images of Earth's sunlit side, and real-time tracking of global natural events. You can check for anything from active wildfires and volcanic eruptions to severe storms using EONET, or pull detailed imagery data with `get_epic_images` and `get_epic_by_date`. It’s a dedicated feed for environmental monitoring.

## Overview
- **Category:** the-unthinkable
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** satellite-imagery, geospatial-data, natural-disasters, earth-observation, environmental-monitoring

## Description

This server gives you two separate feeds for environmental monitoring: **EPIC** images covering Earth's full visible hemisphere, and real-time data on global natural events tracked by EONET.

### **Getting the Full-Disk View (EPIC)**

To pull those massive full-disk shots of the sunlit side of Earth from orbit in either natural or enhanced color, you'll use the EPIC tools. First, if you wanna check which dates are available for fetching these images, run `get_epic_dates`; that lists every date EPIC has stored a view for. Once you know the date you need, you can grab coordinates and an image ID specific to that day by calling `get_epic_by_date`. If you just want the absolute latest full-disk shot from the DSCOVR satellite without picking a date, use `get_epic_images`.

### **Mapping Global Disasters (EONET)**

The EONET system tracks active natural disasters worldwide. You get current global data on everything from severe storms and wildfires to volcanic eruptions and other major environmental shifts, including coordinates for every event listed.

To see exactly what types of events the system is tracking—like floods, sea ice formations, or thunderstorms—you gotta start by running `get_event_categories`. This list tells you all the recognized categories EONET monitors. After that, to pull the live data on active disasters like volcanoes and wildfires, just call `get_natural_events`. Every single event listing you get includes coordinates and a source link, so you know exactly where that data comes from.

***

**Pro Tip:** When checking out these tools, remember they're for hard data. You use the system to check specific dates (`get_epic_by_date`) or pull the latest image instantly (`get_epic_images`), and you run `get_natural_events` when you need a real-time disaster map. This isn't some general weather forecast; this is dedicated, high-resolution data for serious environmental monitoring.

## Tools

### get_epic_by_date
Gets coordinates, sun position, and an image ID for a specific date's full-disk Earth view.

### get_epic_dates
Lists all dates available for fetching EPIC Earth images.

### get_epic_images
Fetches the latest full-disk image of Earth from the DSCOVR satellite in natural or enhanced color.

### get_event_categories
Lists all recognized types of natural events tracked by EONET (e.g., floods, storms).

### get_natural_events
Retrieves current global data on active disasters like wildfires and volcanoes, including coordinates.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Are there any active wildfires right now?
```

**Response:** 
```
🔥 **Active Wildfires (EONET)**

| Location | Coordinates | Source |
|----------|-------------|--------|
| Northern California | 41.2°N, 122.3°W | InciWeb |
| Siberia | 62.1°N, 114.8°E | MODIS |
| Australian Outback | 25.4°S, 133.2°E | FIRMS |

48 wildfires currently tracked by EONET.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Are there any strong storms currently being tracked?
```

**Response:** 
```
EONET is currently tracking Tropical Cyclone Freddy off the coast of Madagascar and a severe winter storm system moving across the US Midwest. There are also 5 smaller convective storms active.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Show me what Earth looked like on January 1, 2020.
```

**Response:** 
```
I found 13 full-disk images of Earth taken by the EPIC camera on Jan 1, 2020. The first image taken at 00:15 UT shows the Pacific Ocean, Australia, and parts of Asia fully illuminated.
```

## Capabilities

### Retrieve Full-Disk Images
Get the latest full-disk view of Earth from orbit in natural or enhanced color.

### Check Available Dates
List all dates for which EPIC has stored and available full-disk images.

### Map Active Global Events
Find specific details, coordinates, and source links for active natural disasters like wildfires or storms worldwide.

### Browse Event Types
Get a list of all natural event categories the EONET system tracks (e.g., floods, icebergs).

## Use Cases

### Assessing a Wildfire's Spread
A researcher needs to know if an area was impacted by recent fires. They first run `get_event_categories` to confirm 'wildfires' is tracked, then execute `get_natural_events`. The agent returns a list of all active fire locations with their coordinates and source links, solving the data gathering step instantly.

### Comparing Global Conditions Over Time
A climate analyst wants to compare global storm activity from 2015 versus today. They use `get_epic_dates` to find available dates in both years, then run `get_epic_by_date` for specific dates. This allows them to build a visual timeline of Earth's surface changes.

### Tracking an Emerging Threat
A content creator is writing about volcanic activity near the Pacific Rim. They use `get_event_categories` to confirm 'volcanoes' are monitored, then call `get_natural_events`. The agent provides immediate data on current eruptions, complete with source citations for credibility.

### Quick Environmental Check
An operations team needs a quick visual check of Earth. They bypass date lookups and use `get_epic_images` to get the most recent full-disk view available, letting them instantly assess current atmospheric conditions.

## Benefits

- **Real-Time Disaster Tracking:** Instead of navigating multiple government portals, the `get_natural_events` tool pulls active data on wildfires, volcanoes, and storms into a single list with coordinates and source links. You know exactly what's happening, where, and who reports it.
- **Historical Visual Context:** Need to show how an area looked before a disaster? Use `get_epic_by_date`. First you call `get_epic_dates` to check the calendar, then use the date to pull specific full-disk images of Earth's history.
- **Know Your Data Scope:** Before querying for events, use `get_event_categories`. This confirms whether EONET tracks sea ice or if it only covers major storms. It saves you from running an empty query just because you didn't know the right category name.
- **Instant Latest View:** If you just need a quick visual update and don't care about dates, `get_epic_images` pulls the absolute latest full-disk image of Earth directly to your agent. No date math required.
- **Structured Reporting:** The output for natural events is highly structured, providing location, coordinates, AND the source link. This makes it usable immediately in reports without needing manual cross-referencing.

## How It Works

The bottom line is you get structured data on global environmental conditions—whether it’s a date for an image or coordinates for a volcano.

1. If you need an image: First, call `get_epic_dates` to confirm a date range is available for your interest.
2. Then, use `get_epic_by_date` with the specific date. This returns coordinates and identifiers needed to construct the final image URL.
3. For events: Call `get_natural_events`. The agent processes this list of active disasters, providing location details and source links directly.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I find out what kind of natural events `get_natural_events` tracks?**
Run `get_event_categories`. This lists all the types of disasters EONET monitors, like wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. It’s a quick way to scope your search.

**Can I get Earth imagery from any date using `get_epic_by_date`?**
No. You must first check `get_epic_dates`. This tool confirms which dates actually have available EPIC images for retrieval before you try to pull data.

**What is the difference between `get_natural_events` and just searching Google?**
`get_natural_events` gives structured, machine-readable JSON output containing coordinates and specific source links. Google Search gives you a mess of articles; this tool gives you data points.

**Is `get_epic_images` for current or historical views?**
`get_epic_images` only provides the latest full-disk image available from the DSCOVR satellite. If you need an older view, use `get_epic_by_date`.

**When do I need to worry about rate limits when using `get_natural_events`?**
The NASA API enforces specific rate limits. While Vinkius manages the connection, you must adhere to the quota defined in the official documentation. Exceeding this limit will result in a temporary failure until your usage cycle resets.

**What data format does `get_natural_events` deliver its results in?**
The tool returns structured JSON objects. This includes coordinates, source links, and event type for every active natural disaster found. It makes parsing the data straightforward for your agent.

**Are there any prerequisites or setup steps before I can successfully run `get_epic_images`?**
You need a valid NASA API key to access EPIC imagery. While Vinkius handles the connection, you must input this specific credential into your agent's configuration. The service won't work without it.

**How fast is the turnaround time when calling `get_epic_dates`?**
The tool lists available dates quickly, providing a list of interest immediately. Keep in mind that while retrieving the date range is instant, processing and fetching the actual full-disk image data takes significantly longer.

**What is the DSCOVR satellite?**
DSCOVR orbits at the L1 Lagrange point, 1.5 million km from Earth. Its EPIC camera takes full-disk images of Earth every 1-2 hours, always showing the sunlit face.

**What is EONET?**
EONET (Earth Observatory Natural Event Tracker) provides real-time data on active natural events. It tracks wildfires, severe storms, volcanoes, and more, updated daily from satellite sources.

**Can I get historical data using the EPIC camera?**
Yes, you can browse images by specific dates since the DSCOVR satellite began taking regular photos in 2015, allowing you to see Earth on a specific past day.