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
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Part of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in northern Italy is captured in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 29 October 2024.
Zoom in to explore this image at its full 10 m resolution.
Cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours have triggered the autumn foliage, which shows up here in shades of brown and red, particularly at higher altitudes. The colours depend on local weather, altitude and orientation of the slopes and the mix of native tree species.
The mountains stretch in a diagonal direction from the Cento Laghi Park and the Guadine Pradaccio national reserve in the northwest to Monte Cimone in the southeast.
Along the coast, the port city of La Spezia is visible to the north, while moving south, the city of Carrara can be seen stretching into the Apuan Alps. The city is famous for its white or blue-grey marble, called Carrara, mined from quarries in the nearby mountains, which here appear bright white, contrasting with the surrounding lush vegetation.