The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Global annual mean cloud cover derived from three years (2007–09) of Envisat data. The map shows areas with little to no cloud coverage (blue) as well as areas that are almost always cloudy (red). Clear skies are immediately visible over deserts (such as the Sahara, Namib and over the Atacama). Regions with constant high-pressure systems are detectable, such as the Pacific. On the other hand, the North Atlantic Ocean in the mid-latitudes is mostly covered with clouds, where storms develop. The UK is often cloudy, whereas the Mediterranean shows sunny skies.
Data from both the MERIS and AATSR instruments on Envisat were used.