< ISS005-E-21572 >
| NASA Photo ID | ISS005-E-21572 |
| Focal Length | 800mm |
| Date taken | 2002.11.27 |
| Time taken | 05:07:11 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1024 x 768 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 1000 x 754 pixels 1000 x 659 pixels 1024 x 768 pixels 540 x 356 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
1024 x 768 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 1000 x 754 pixels 1000 x 659 pixels 1024 x 768 pixels 540 x 356 pixels 540 x 405 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
Country or Geographic Name: | AUSTRALIA-Q |
Features: | PLANKTON BLOOM, LINEAR |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 25 (11-25)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 41° |
Sun Azimuth: | 261° |
Camera: | Kodak DCS760c Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 800mm |
Camera Tilt: | Low Oblique |
Format: | 3060E: 3060 x 2036 pixel CCD, RGBG array |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1024 pixels | 768 pixels | Photographic Highlights | Download Image | ||
| 540 pixels | 405 pixels | Photographic Highlights | Download Image | ||
| 540 pixels | 405 pixels | Yes | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 1000 pixels | 754 pixels | No | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 1000 pixels | 659 pixels | Yes | Presentation | Download Image | |
| 1024 pixels | 768 pixels | Yes | Yes | Presentation | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 356 pixels | Scientist Request | Download Image | ||
| 540 pixels | 405 pixels | Yes | Yes | Presentation | Download Image |
| 3032 pixels | 2064 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 639 pixels | 435 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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No GeoTIFF is available for this photo.Image Caption: Detailed imagery taken by astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) provides a new way of looking at many features on the Earth's surface. This image captures a plankton bloom in the Capricorn Channel off the Queensland coast of Australia. The whispy pattern of the bloom suggests that the plankton are Trichodesmium--a photosynthetic cyanobacteria, also called "sea saw dust" that is common in the world's oceans. Trichodesmium is frequently observed around Australia this time of year. In fact, Captain Cook's ship logs written while he was sailing in Australian waters in the 1700s contain detailed descriptions of Trichodesmium blooms. Trichodesmium species are particularly important because of their role as primary producers: by sheer abundance, they fix a large amount of CO2 and N2.
Astronauts frequently photograph large plankton blooms during their missions because a significant portion of the ISS orbits cross long stretches of ocean. In the process, astronauts become acute observers of subtle changes in sea surface dynamics. Imagery of surface plankton blooms are multi-dimensional (in space and time) visualizations for the unique physical and chemical circumstances that support the blooms. Astronauts are trained and encouraged to document phytoplankton blooms, and to make repeated observations to better understand the longevity and temporal variations of the blooms. We estimate that each pixel in this image represents a square with sides of 6-8 m.
Astronauts frequently photograph large plankton blooms during their missions because a significant portion of the ISS orbits cross long stretches of ocean. In the process, astronauts become acute observers of subtle changes in sea surface dynamics. Imagery of surface plankton blooms are multi-dimensional (in space and time) visualizations for the unique physical and chemical circumstances that support the blooms. Astronauts are trained and encouraged to document phytoplankton blooms, and to make repeated observations to better understand the longevity and temporal variations of the blooms. We estimate that each pixel in this image represents a square with sides of 6-8 m.

