ISS002 Earth Sciences Results Briefing, 14 February, 2002

ISS002 Earth Sciences Results Briefing
February 14, 2002

REEFS AND ATOLLS

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Scientific targets were atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago and islands of American Samoa, and reefs in Malaysia, and the central Philippines. The Tuamotu Archipelago was extensively photographed with numerous images that surpass the spatial resolution of any images acquired from orbit in the past (from human spaceflight or satellites). Of about 85 islands in the archipelago, approximately 36 were photographed using the Kodak/400mm/2x extender combination with low clouds. Because the quality of these images is unsurpassed, we are now seeking at least one low-cloud photograph for each atoll. All the images shown below have already been used in mapping activities being conducted in the area. The use of astronaut photography in the recently published "World Atlas of Coral Reefs" and the recent acceptance of an article on using astronaut photography to identify coral pinnacles in lagoons (in International Journal of Remote Sensing) promises to further increase the visibility and scientific importance of reef photography from the Space Station.

ISS002-E-5678 Reao, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, the easternmost inhabited atoll in the archipelago (313 residents), includes about 60 large stone altars (similar to structures on Easter Island) dating to the 1st century A.D. It is 16 km long.

ISS002-E-6373 Fakahina, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Both atolls show example of the structure of coral habitats within the lagoons. One important mapping objective is to distinguish highly reflective coral pinnacles form small clouds that form over the lagoons. Using multidate images (2 images from ISS taken on different days, or an image from ISS and a satellite image), the clouds and pinnacles can be easily distinguished. Reef pinnacles are important to map because they are centers of biodiversity within the lagoons.

ISS002-E-6371 Napuka, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. This atoll is 7 x 3.5 km in size and has no pass through to its inner lagoon. There are 319 residents on the island.

ISS002-E-5401 Pinaki, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pinaki has more continuous land surface than most small Tuamotu atolls because it is raised enough that much of the atoll is now above the surface of the water. The inner lagoon is extremely shallow and has a single narrow spillway. The entire island is only 3.5 km².

ISS002-E-6372 Fangatau, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. This isolated atoll has a population of 150 people.

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Recommended Citation: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth." .

NASA Responsible Official: Tracy Calhoun

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International Space Station National Laboratory

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ISS002-E-5678	Reao, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, the easternmost inhabited atoll in the archipelago (313 residents), includes about 60 large stone altars (similar to structures on Easter Island) dating to the 1st century A.D. It is 16 km long.
ISS002-E-6373	Fakahina, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Both atolls show example of the structure of coral habitats within the lagoons. One important mapping objective is to distinguish highly reflective coral pinnacles form small clouds that form over the lagoons. Using multidate images (2 images from ISS taken on different days, or an image from ISS and a satellite image), the clouds and pinnacles can be easily distinguished. Reef pinnacles are important to map because they are centers of biodiversity within the lagoons.
ISS002-E-6371	Napuka, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. This atoll is 7 x 3.5 km in size and has no pass through to its inner lagoon. There are 319 residents on the island.
ISS002-E-5401	Pinaki, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pinaki has more continuous land surface than most small Tuamotu atolls because it is raised enough that much of the atoll is now above the surface of the water. The inner lagoon is extremely shallow and has a single narrow spillway. The entire island is only 3.5 km².
ISS002-E-6372	Fangatau, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. This isolated atoll has a population of 150 people.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science Directorate. Recommended Citation: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth." .
	NASA Responsible Official: Tracy Calhoun Curator: jsc-earthweb@mail.nasa.gov Contributors: Earth Sciences Web Team	National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center	International Space Station National Laboratory Last Update:
Server: 1