< ISS036-E-11843 >
| NASA Photo ID | ISS036-E-11843 |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Date taken | 2013.06.24 |
| Time taken | 20:33:52 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 665 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 3924 x 2616 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels 640 x 426 pixels
1000 x 665 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 3924 x 2616 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels 640 x 426 pixels
Spacecraft nadir point: 49.4° N, 84.8° W
Photo center point: 48.5° N, 86.5° W
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point: 48.5° N, 86.5° W
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: Southwest
Spacecraft Altitude: 218 nautical miles (404km)
Country or Geographic Name: | CANADA-O |
Features: | LAKE SUPERIOR, WAVE PATTERNS, ISLE ROYAL, SLATE ISLANDS, SUNGLINT |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 48° |
Sun Azimuth: | 248° |
Camera: | Nikon D3S Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 50mm |
Camera Tilt: | 28 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 | 665 pixels | No | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 359 pixels | Yes | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 3924 pixels | 2616 pixels | No | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 4256 pixels | 2832 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 640 pixels | 426 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
Download Packaged File
Download a Google Earth KML for this Image
View photo footprint information
No GeoTIFF is available for this photo.Image Caption: Gravity Waves and Sunglint, Lake Superior
Note: This caption refers to the image versions labeled "NASA's Earth Observatory web site".
From the vantage point of the International Space Station, astronauts frequently observe Earth atmospheric and surface phenomena in ways impossible to view from the ground. Two such phenomena--gravity waves and sunglint--are illustrated in this astronaut photograph of northeastern Lake Superior. The Canadian Shield of southern Ontario (image top) is covered with extensive green forest canopy typical of early summer. Offshore, and to the west and southwest of Pukaskwa National Park several distinct sets of parallel cloud bands are visible.
Gravity waves are produced when moisture-laden air encounters imbalances in air density, such as might be expected when cool air flows over warmer air; this can cause the flowing air to oscillate up and down as it moves, causing clouds to condense as the air rises (cools) and evaporate away as the air sinks (warms). This produces parallel bands of clouds oriented perpendicular to the wind direction. The orientation of the cloud bands visible in this image, parallel to the coastlines, suggests that air flowing off of the land surfaces to the north is interacting with moist, stable air over the lake surface, creating gravity waves.
The second phenomenon--sunglint--effects the water surface around and to the northeast of Isle Royale (image left). Sunglint is caused by light reflection off a water surface; some of the reflected light travels directly back towards the observer, resulting in a bright mirror-like appearance over large expanses of water. Water currents and changes in surface tension (typically caused by presence of oils or surfactants) alter the reflective properties of the water, and can be highlighted by sunglint. For example, surface water currents are visible to the east of Isle Royale that are oriented similarly to the gravity waves - suggesting that they too are the product of winds moving off of the land surface.
Note: This caption refers to the image versions labeled "NASA's Earth Observatory web site".
From the vantage point of the International Space Station, astronauts frequently observe Earth atmospheric and surface phenomena in ways impossible to view from the ground. Two such phenomena--gravity waves and sunglint--are illustrated in this astronaut photograph of northeastern Lake Superior. The Canadian Shield of southern Ontario (image top) is covered with extensive green forest canopy typical of early summer. Offshore, and to the west and southwest of Pukaskwa National Park several distinct sets of parallel cloud bands are visible.
Gravity waves are produced when moisture-laden air encounters imbalances in air density, such as might be expected when cool air flows over warmer air; this can cause the flowing air to oscillate up and down as it moves, causing clouds to condense as the air rises (cools) and evaporate away as the air sinks (warms). This produces parallel bands of clouds oriented perpendicular to the wind direction. The orientation of the cloud bands visible in this image, parallel to the coastlines, suggests that air flowing off of the land surfaces to the north is interacting with moist, stable air over the lake surface, creating gravity waves.
The second phenomenon--sunglint--effects the water surface around and to the northeast of Isle Royale (image left). Sunglint is caused by light reflection off a water surface; some of the reflected light travels directly back towards the observer, resulting in a bright mirror-like appearance over large expanses of water. Water currents and changes in surface tension (typically caused by presence of oils or surfactants) alter the reflective properties of the water, and can be highlighted by sunglint. For example, surface water currents are visible to the east of Isle Royale that are oriented similarly to the gravity waves - suggesting that they too are the product of winds moving off of the land surface.
