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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This image shows the islands of Ireland and Great Britain in the Atlantic Ocean, separated by the Irish Sea. Prevailing winds from the south-west bring the influence of the warm Gulf Stream to this area and create a temperate maritime climate, contrary to other areas at the same latitude such as Newfoundland or Belarus. In the water around Ireland plankton blooms occur frequently as shown in this picture.
Plankton is the bottom layer of the marine food chain and can sustain a rich marine habitat. Phytoplankton plays an important role in global climate regulation, it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. The oceans have become the principal repository for carbon dioxide. The light shades in the water around Great Britain are sediment deposits. Sediments are small particles that are usually transported via water or wind and settles in river channels, on beach sands and in shallow waters.