STS107-E-5290
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Mashhad, Iran: With a population of just over two million,
Mashhad is Iran’s second-largest city. It is located in the Kashaf
River valley near the northeast corner of the country, not far away
from the borders of Turkmenistan and Afganistan. Besides being the
capital and center of commerce for Khorasan province, Mashhad is
tourist center as well as a site of pilgrimage for millions to the
shrine of martyred Shi’ate Imam Reza. The crew of STS-107 acquired
this snow-enhanced image just after noon (local time) on January 21,
2003. The long runways of the international airport, on the
southeastern edge of the city, run parallel to the prevailing valley
winds. Note how little snow is visible in the urbanized areas and the
discoloration of snow in the surrounding area, probably due to
wind-borne smoke generated by fuel burning in the city.
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