ISS040-E-112662
| NASA Photo ID | ISS040-E-112662 |
| Focal Length | 800mm |
| Date taken | 2014.08.30 |
| Time taken | 14:35:04 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 664 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 2848 x 4288 pixels 720 x 720 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels 640 x 425 pixels
1000 x 664 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 2848 x 4288 pixels 720 x 720 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels 640 x 425 pixels
Spacecraft nadir point: 23.7° N, 86.6° W
Photo center point: 21.1° N, 86.8° W
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point: 21.1° N, 86.8° W
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: South
Spacecraft Altitude: 222 nautical miles (411km)
Country or Geographic Name: | MEXICO |
Features: | CANCUN, CORAL REEFS, LAGOONS |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 42° |
Sun Azimuth: | 100° |
Camera: | Nikon D2Xs Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 800mm |
Camera Tilt: | 35 degrees |
Format: | 4288E: 4288 x 2848 pixel CMOS sensor, RGBG imager color filter |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 pixels | 664 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 359 pixels | Yes | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 2848 pixels | 4288 pixels | No | No | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 720 pixels | 720 pixels | Yes | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 4288 pixels | 2848 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 640 pixels | 425 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Cancun, Mexico
A long lens was used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station to take this image, and it highlights many natural and built features. The street pattern of Mexico's tourist mecca, Cancun, contrasts with the waterways of the marinas that open into the bay and the lagoons. Brilliant blue water over coral reefs contrasts with the dark waters of inland lagoons. The reefs are the second largest reef system on Earth, and draw tourists from all over the world. The wide, well developed beach on the gulf coast (image upper right) is the result of vigorous wave energy, its white sand making it easily visible from space. But wave energy is reduced along Cancun's protected shoreline (image center) and the beaches are thin or non-existent. Fair-weather cumulus clouds are scattered across the image top left.
To shoot crisp mages with long lenses, astronaut photographers must learn to brace themselves against the ISS bulkhead to prevent any slight shaking that would blur or "smear" the picture. Counterintuitively, they then need to move the camera carefully retaining the target at the same point in the viewfinder (the landscape moves across the viewfinder quickly with long lenses). This is called tracking the target and requires good coordination by the photographer--again, to prevent blurring. Shorter lenses do not require this skill because the image appears to pass more slowly across the viewfinder.
A long lens was used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station to take this image, and it highlights many natural and built features. The street pattern of Mexico's tourist mecca, Cancun, contrasts with the waterways of the marinas that open into the bay and the lagoons. Brilliant blue water over coral reefs contrasts with the dark waters of inland lagoons. The reefs are the second largest reef system on Earth, and draw tourists from all over the world. The wide, well developed beach on the gulf coast (image upper right) is the result of vigorous wave energy, its white sand making it easily visible from space. But wave energy is reduced along Cancun's protected shoreline (image center) and the beaches are thin or non-existent. Fair-weather cumulus clouds are scattered across the image top left.
To shoot crisp mages with long lenses, astronaut photographers must learn to brace themselves against the ISS bulkhead to prevent any slight shaking that would blur or "smear" the picture. Counterintuitively, they then need to move the camera carefully retaining the target at the same point in the viewfinder (the landscape moves across the viewfinder quickly with long lenses). This is called tracking the target and requires good coordination by the photographer--again, to prevent blurring. Shorter lenses do not require this skill because the image appears to pass more slowly across the viewfinder.
