NASA Earth Observatory October 2026 Satellite Image Puzzle

Each month, NASA Earth Observatory features a puzzling satellite image. The October 2026 Puzzler is shown above.

Your Challenge

Can you identify the location shown in this satellite image? Share the clue you noticed, where you think the image was taken, and why you find the location interesting or unique.

How to Submit Your Answer

Use the submission form to send us your answer, and select “Puzzle Answers” as the topic. Please include your preferred name or alias.

You can keep your response simple and just guess the location. Want to impress us? Tell us which satellite or instrument captured the image and which spectral band was used. You can also point out subtle details about the area’s geology or history. If something caught your eye, this is your home, or the location has personal meaning, we would love to hear from you.

What Can You Win?

We cannot offer prize money or space travel to see Earth from above—although astronauts do. What we can offer is the satisfaction of solving a challenging satellite-image puzzle.

About a week after the challenge, we will post your answers at the top of this page, along with a link to the Earth Observatory’s “Image of the Day” story explaining the image in more detail. We will recognize the first person to guess the location correctly and may also highlight readers who share particularly thoughtful or interesting answers. By submitting a reply, you agree that your comment may be edited, excerpted, and published on this page.

Take a Closer Look

Until then, zoom in, examine the satellite image carefully, and enjoy the challenge. We look forward to seeing your answers.