ISS020-E-45018
NASA Photo ID | ISS020-E-45018 |
Focal Length | 800mm |
Date taken | 2009.10.02 |
Time taken | 06:49:55 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 663 pixels 540 x 358 pixels 720 x 480 pixels 4256 x 2913 pixels 640 x 438 pixels
1000 x 663 pixels 540 x 358 pixels 720 x 480 pixels 4256 x 2913 pixels 640 x 438 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Country or Geographic Name: | EGYPT |
Features: | GREAT BITTER LAKE, FAYID, SUEZ CANAL, SHIPS |
Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 36° |
Sun Azimuth: | 122° |
Camera: | Nikon D3 Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 800mm |
Camera Tilt: | 18 degrees |
Format: | 4256E: 4256 x 2832 pixel CMOS sensor, 36.0mm x 23.9mm, total pixels: 12.87 million, Nikon FX format |
Film Exposure: | |
Additional Information | |
Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1000 pixels | 663 pixels | No | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
540 pixels | 358 pixels | Yes | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
720 pixels | 480 pixels | Yes | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
4256 pixels | 2913 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
640 pixels | 438 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Great Bitter Lake, Egypt
The Great Bitter Lake is one of several lakes located along the Suez Canal, which connects the eastern Mediterranean and Red Seas. As the canal is built only to allow ships to travel in a single lane, the Great Bitter Lake is a location where ships can change their position in line (like the passing lane on the highway) before proceeding to either Port Said to the north, or the port of Suez to the south. The lake also provides an intermediate harbor for ships traversing the Canal--a journey that typically takes 14 hours end to end. Several ships, some under power and some anchored, are visible at image right.
Prior to the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Great Bitter Lake was a large salt flat; in the arid climate, basins rarely accumulate enough water to become true lakes. Large expanses of white and tan sandy sediments at image left and top attest to the desert conditions surrounding the lake. Located at the approximate midpoint of the Suez Canal, Great Bitter Lake is now filled with water derived from both the Red and Mediterranean Seas, and this steady influx of water balances the water lost to evaporation. The town of Fayid (also spelled as Fayed), visible along the western shore of the lake (bottom) is a tourist destination for residents of Cairo, particularly in the summer months.
The Great Bitter Lake is one of several lakes located along the Suez Canal, which connects the eastern Mediterranean and Red Seas. As the canal is built only to allow ships to travel in a single lane, the Great Bitter Lake is a location where ships can change their position in line (like the passing lane on the highway) before proceeding to either Port Said to the north, or the port of Suez to the south. The lake also provides an intermediate harbor for ships traversing the Canal--a journey that typically takes 14 hours end to end. Several ships, some under power and some anchored, are visible at image right.
Prior to the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Great Bitter Lake was a large salt flat; in the arid climate, basins rarely accumulate enough water to become true lakes. Large expanses of white and tan sandy sediments at image left and top attest to the desert conditions surrounding the lake. Located at the approximate midpoint of the Suez Canal, Great Bitter Lake is now filled with water derived from both the Red and Mediterranean Seas, and this steady influx of water balances the water lost to evaporation. The town of Fayid (also spelled as Fayed), visible along the western shore of the lake (bottom) is a tourist destination for residents of Cairo, particularly in the summer months.