Earth from Space - Image Information


LOCATION Direction Photo #: ISS064-E-44621 Date: Mar. 2021
Geographic Region: NEW ZEALAND-SI
Feature: CHRISTCHURCH, MOUNT HERBERT, LAKE ELLESMERE, RAKAIA RIVER, WAIMAKARIRI RIVER, BANKS PENINSULA


 

An astronaut onboard the International Space Station (ISS) shot this photograph of Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula, a distinct feature protruding from the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Shades of blue along the coastline accent sediment-laden waters from where the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers enter the sea. The city of Christchurch and Lake Ellesmere flank the peninsula.

Christchurch is the largest city on South Island and the second most populated city in New Zealand. Situated on the north side of the Banks Peninsula, this city is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Port Hills to the south. The hills, harbors, and coves of the Banks Peninsula are remnants of extinct, eroded volcanoes.

The sources of the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers are found in the Southern Alps, a mountain range that runs along most of South Island’s west coast. The rivers transport large amounts of sediment from the mountains and into the lower Canterbury Plains before flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Groundwater from the Waimakariri and Rakaia also feeds the brackish Lake Ellesmere. The volume and particle size of the sediment results in the formation of braided rivers. In the case of the Waimakariri, the river course has been further channelized to reduce flooding.

Further Reading: NASA Earth Observatory (2006, August 28) 250,000 Earth Photographs from the International Space Station.





Images: All Available Images Low-Resolution 420k
Mission: ISS064  
Roll - Frame: E - 44621
Geographical Name: NEW ZEALAND-SI  
Features: CHRISTCHURCH, MOUNT HERBERT, LAKE ELLESMERE, RAKAIA RIVER, WAIMAKARIRI RIVER, BANKS PENINSULA  
Center Lat x Lon: 43.7S x 172.7E
Film Exposure:   N=Normal exposure, U=Under exposed, O=Over exposed, F=out of Focus
Percentage of Cloud Cover-CLDP: 10
 
Camera:: N8
 
Camera Tilt: 31   LO=Low Oblique, HO=High Oblique, NV=Near Vertical
Camera Focal Length: 116  
 
Nadir to Photo Center Direction: E   The direction from the nadir to the center point, N=North, S=South, E=East, W=West
Stereo?:   Y=Yes there is an adjacent picture of the same area, N=No there isn't
Orbit Number:  
 
Date: 20210318   YYYYMMDD
Time: 205118   GMT HHMMSS
Nadir Lat: 44.5S  
Latitude of suborbital point of spacecraft
Nadir Lon: 170.5E  
Longitude of suborbital point of spacecraft
Sun Azimuth: 67   Clockwise angle in degrees from north to the sun measured at the nadir point
Space Craft Altitude: 230   nautical miles
Sun Elevation: 22   Angle in degrees between the horizon and the sun, measured at the nadir point
Land Views:  
Water Views:  
Atmosphere Views:  
Man Made Views:  
City Views:  

Photo is not associated with any sequences


NASA
Home Page
JSC
Home Page
JSC Digital
Image Collection
Earth Science &
Remote Sensing

NASA meatball logo
This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.
ESRS logo