ISS008-E-8951
| NASA Photo ID | ISS008-E-8951 |
| Focal Length | 800mm |
| Date taken | 2003.12.18 |
| Time taken | 15:44:29 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1308 x 2000 pixels 656 x 1000 pixels 540 x 540 pixels 1000 x 1529 pixels 540 x 677 pixels 2000 x 1368 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels 639 x 437 pixels
1308 x 2000 pixels 656 x 1000 pixels 540 x 540 pixels 1000 x 1529 pixels 540 x 677 pixels 2000 x 1368 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels 639 x 437 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 38.9° N, 13.3° W
Photo center point:
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point:
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: South
Spacecraft Altitude: 199 nautical miles (369km)
Country or Geographic Name: | ASTRONOMICAL OBJECTS |
Features: | PAN-CRESCENT MOON, EARTH LIMB |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | MOON |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 25 (11-25)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 16° |
Sun Azimuth: | 221° |
Camera: | Nikon D1 Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 800mm |
Camera Tilt: | High Oblique |
Format: | 2000E: 2000 x 1312 pixel CCD, RGBG imager color filter |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1308 pixels | 2000 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 656 pixels | 1000 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 540 pixels | No | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 1000 pixels | 1529 pixels | No | No | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 677 pixels | No | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 2000 pixels | 1368 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 2000 pixels | 1312 pixels | No | No | Original file from camera | Download Image |
| 639 pixels | 437 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Thinning Upper Atmosphere:
From a vantage point about 360 km (225 miles) over the Earth, Space Station crewmembers photographed the crescent moon through the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere. At the bottom of the image, a closed deck of clouds is probably at about 6 km (3 miles). The shades of blue grading to black are caused by the scatter of light as it strikes gas molecules of the very low density upper atmosphere.
Models predict that emissions of carbon dioxide are causing the upper atmosphere to cool and contract, and therefore reduce the density of gases in the layer spanning from 90 to 649 km (60 to 400 miles) above the surface--known as the thermosphere. According to a study by the Naval Research Laboratory (//www.agu.org/sci_soc/prrl/prrl0406.html), the density of the thermosphere has decreased about 10 percent over the last 35 years. These findings are important both for space science and for Earth science. Spacecraft in orbit, such as the International Space Station, experience less drag and need fewer boosts to maintain their orbit. At the same time, space debris also remains in orbit longer, which increases hazards to spacecraft. Most importantly, the study validates models of the "greenhouse effect" of increased carbon dioxide release on the dynamics of the atmosphere.
From a vantage point about 360 km (225 miles) over the Earth, Space Station crewmembers photographed the crescent moon through the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere. At the bottom of the image, a closed deck of clouds is probably at about 6 km (3 miles). The shades of blue grading to black are caused by the scatter of light as it strikes gas molecules of the very low density upper atmosphere.
Models predict that emissions of carbon dioxide are causing the upper atmosphere to cool and contract, and therefore reduce the density of gases in the layer spanning from 90 to 649 km (60 to 400 miles) above the surface--known as the thermosphere. According to a study by the Naval Research Laboratory (//www.agu.org/sci_soc/prrl/prrl0406.html), the density of the thermosphere has decreased about 10 percent over the last 35 years. These findings are important both for space science and for Earth science. Spacecraft in orbit, such as the International Space Station, experience less drag and need fewer boosts to maintain their orbit. At the same time, space debris also remains in orbit longer, which increases hazards to spacecraft. Most importantly, the study validates models of the "greenhouse effect" of increased carbon dioxide release on the dynamics of the atmosphere.
