Scientists watch as Earth turns to 2011

The inevitable rotation of the Earth towards the new year has scientists watching from space as December draws to a close.

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have captured some of the last images of 2010 using the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES-13.

The so-called "full-disk image" pictures the face of the Earth centred on the American continent.

Its cloud cover shows how low pressure remains over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado - and hints at the story that 2010 leaves behind.

"The GOES series of satellites keep an eye on the weather happening over the continental US and eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans - and had a busy time with wild weather in 2010," NASA reports.

Meanwhile, the organisation's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite is focused on Western Australia as the year draws to a close.

Here, the north-western coastline is experiencing continuing gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall under the bombardment of weather system 98S.