Online poll for NASA's greatest hits begins

Washington, April 15 (ANI): NASA is inviting the public to vote online for the most important contribution the space agency has made to exploring Earth and improving the way we live on our home planet.

NASA is conducting the survey as part of its celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Voting began on April 14, and would close on April 21.

Poll results will be announced on NASA's Web site on Earth Day.

A 2008 National Research Council study identified major accomplishments resulting from Earth observations made from space.

The report, "Earth Observations from Space: The First 50 Years of Scientific Achievements," cataloged scientific discoveries and practical applications, including many that resulted from NASA missions, made possible from satellite observations.

NASA selected 10 candidates highlighted in the study for consideration as the greatest achievements about planet Earth.

The options include diagnosing Earth's ozone layer, predicting food shortages and tracking ecosystems worldwide.

Visitors to the online polling site will be able to cast their votes for up to three candidate accomplishments.

Since the launch of the United States' first satellite in January 1958, NASA has pioneered the exploration of our home planet from space.

With more than a dozen observation satellites circling the globe, NASA continues to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery about Earth, its climate and its future. (ANI)