ISS022-E-52281
NASA Photo ID | ISS022-E-52281 |
Focal Length | 70mm |
Date taken | 2010.01.30 |
Time taken | 00:38:26 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 663 pixels 540 x 358 pixels 720 x 480 pixels 4288 x 2929 pixels 640 x 437 pixels
1000 x 663 pixels 540 x 358 pixels 720 x 480 pixels 4288 x 2929 pixels 640 x 437 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Country or Geographic Name: | ATLANTIC OCEAN |
Features: | PAN-ATMOSPHERIC LIMB, POLAR MESOSPHERIC CLOUDS, DAWN |
Features Found Using Machine Learning: | PAN- |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | -21° |
Sun Azimuth: | 172° |
Camera: | Nikon D2Xs Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 70mm |
Camera Tilt: | High Oblique |
Format: | 4288E: 4288 x 2848 pixel CMOS sensor, RGBG imager color filter |
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 | No | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
4288 pixels | 2929 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
640 pixels | 437 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Southern Hemisphere
This striking astronaut photograph shows polar mesospheric clouds over the Southern Hemisphere on January 30, 2010. These clouds occur over the high latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during their respective summer months at very high altitudes (approximately 76 to 85 kilometers, or 47 to 53 miles). They are most visible during twilight, when the clouds are still illuminated by the setting Sun, while the ground is already dark.
Polar mesospheric clouds are also known as noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds--a property that is clearly visible in this astronaut photograph. The clouds exhibit thin, wispy light blue forms that contrast with the darkness of space (image upper right). Lower levels of the clouds are more strongly illuminated by the Sun and appear light orange to white. Clouds closest to the Earth's surface are reddish-orange (image center).
The image was taken approximately 38 minutes after midnight Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), while the International Space Station was located over the southern Atlantic Ocean. At this time of year, the Sun never sets over Antarctica, but rather traces an arc across the local horizon, allowing polar mesospheric clouds to be observed near local midnight.
The International Space Station (ISS) orbit ranges from 52 degrees north to 52 degrees south; combined with the highly oblique ("from-the-side") views through the Earth's atmosphere that are possible with hand-held cameras, the ISS is an ideal platform for documenting transient, high-altitude phenomena like polar mesospheric clouds. Another NASA mission, the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere is dedicated to the study of polar mesospheric clouds, and the satellite is providing daily information about their formation, distribution, and variability.
This striking astronaut photograph shows polar mesospheric clouds over the Southern Hemisphere on January 30, 2010. These clouds occur over the high latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during their respective summer months at very high altitudes (approximately 76 to 85 kilometers, or 47 to 53 miles). They are most visible during twilight, when the clouds are still illuminated by the setting Sun, while the ground is already dark.
Polar mesospheric clouds are also known as noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds--a property that is clearly visible in this astronaut photograph. The clouds exhibit thin, wispy light blue forms that contrast with the darkness of space (image upper right). Lower levels of the clouds are more strongly illuminated by the Sun and appear light orange to white. Clouds closest to the Earth's surface are reddish-orange (image center).
The image was taken approximately 38 minutes after midnight Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), while the International Space Station was located over the southern Atlantic Ocean. At this time of year, the Sun never sets over Antarctica, but rather traces an arc across the local horizon, allowing polar mesospheric clouds to be observed near local midnight.
The International Space Station (ISS) orbit ranges from 52 degrees north to 52 degrees south; combined with the highly oblique ("from-the-side") views through the Earth's atmosphere that are possible with hand-held cameras, the ISS is an ideal platform for documenting transient, high-altitude phenomena like polar mesospheric clouds. Another NASA mission, the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere is dedicated to the study of polar mesospheric clouds, and the satellite is providing daily information about their formation, distribution, and variability.