| ISS028 Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Photographic Highlights |
| TOP PICKS |
| Click here to view the complete online collection of astronaut photography of Earth >> |
| ISS028-E-37978 |
![]() ISS028-E-37978 Click the photo number to access all resolutions available and the database record. |
| Wildfire Smoke Plumes over Texas: This panoramic view of
east-central Texas on September 6, 2011, highlights numerous smoke
plumes caused by wildfires burning across the state. The image was
taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), who
used a short focal-length lens (12 mm) to capture a wide field of
view. Smoke plumes are clearly visible to the east of Austin; to the
north of Houston; to the northwest of Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo
Bend Reservoir; and to the west of Shreveport, Louisiana. Diffuse
smoke is moving offshore into the Gulf of Mexico at image bottom.
Part of an ISS photovoltaic radiator panel is visible at image top
center. Record-setting drought conditions have affected much of Texas since early 2011, drying out both forest and grassland and providing ample fuel for wildfires. Relatively high winds and low humidity levels have also contributed to the rapid spread and expansion of fires. According to a report dated September 7, 2011, the Texas Forest Service had responded to 172 fires affecting an area of 546.53 square kilometers (135,051 acres) over the preceding seven days. Fires near Bastrop (to the east of Austin) had destroyed 785 homes as of September 7, 2011. |
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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." . |
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