Back to latest news

NASA Tracks Autumn’s Red Colours From Space

Ground photos help researchers interpret satellite maps.

Your learning

Loading your learning…

Science news editorial illustration for NASA’s New Maps Track the Red Wave of Autumn Leaves

Beginner support · Translation help

Read with help in your language

Choose a language to see each paragraph translated below the English. Tap highlighted words for a quick meaning.

by on 26 29– 4 with 5–11. .

, is not to : a . from the to their . The is the .

Source: NASA Earth Observatory, 2026-10-26.

Read · Think · Practise

Try this story

Try 2 questions about this story, then explain one idea in your own words. Check the text whenever you need to.

Print a worksheet · Teacher guide & answers

Read and understand · 1/2What is the order of events?

Read the answer and explanation

Two observation periods, then publication. The maps use earlier measurements.

Clue: New maps published by NASA on October 26 compare September 29–October 4 with October 5–11. PACE satellite observations show red autumn colours spreading southward.

Read and understand · 2/2Why should a reader be careful about a red area?

Read the answer and explanation

Crops can create a similar signal.. Redness has more than one possible explanation.

Clue: However, redness is not unique to autumn forests: crops can produce a similar signal. Researchers use photos from the ground to check their interpretation. The publication date is later than the observation dates.

Your turn

Explain the main development in your own words. Include one detail that helps a reader understand it.

See one possible answer

Ground photos help researchers interpret satellite maps.

Your answer can be different. Give a reason and use your own words.

0 of 2 questions checked.

Tell us what helped or felt difficult

Which reading level did you try? Was a sentence unclear? Did the questions help you understand the story?

Send feedback by email

Your three-minute English break

A little English in your inbox.

One short story, one useful phrase, one quick question. Free, up to twice a week.