ISS065-E-111745
| NASA Photo ID | ISS065-E-111745 |
| Focal Length | 1150mm |
| Date taken | 2021.06.12 |
| Time taken | 10:52:20 GMT |
4454 x 2970 pixels 720 x 480 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels 640 x 427 pixels
Photo center point: 47.0° N, 2.2° W
Photo center point by machine learning: 46.99° N, 2.23° W
Country or Geographic Name: | FRANCE |
Features: | NOIRMOUTIER, ISLAND, BAY OF BISCAY |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 63° |
Sun Azimuth: | 149° |
Camera: | Nikon D5 Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 1150mm |
Camera Tilt: | 50 degrees |
Format: | 5568E: 5568 x 3712 pixel CMOS sensor, 35.9 x 23.9 mm, total pixels: 21.33 million, Nikon FX format |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4454 pixels | 2970 pixels | Yes | No | Download Image | |
| 720 pixels | 480 pixels | Yes | No | Download Image | |
| 5568 pixels | 3712 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 640 pixels | 427 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
An astronaut onboard the International Space Station (ISS) shot this photograph of the northwestern portion of Noirmoutier, a small tidal island about 20 kilometers (12 miles) long on the western coast of France. Taken at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time, the image highlights exposed mudflats, salt marshes, and sand dunes visible at low tide, as well as the small communities and farms of the island.
Access to Noirmoutier historically required well-timed traversing of the Passage du Gois (out of the frame to the southeast), a causeway linking the island to the mainland. A bridge was constructed in 1971 to permit travel during high tide, which still floods the lowland passage twice a day. Meanwhile, several boats leave white wakes off the north and west side of the island as they travel to and from the deep-water fishing port at L’Herbaudiere.
The exposed mudflats surrounding the island are teeming with shellfish. Oyster aquaculture is widespread in the bay, and several of the associated fish-farming structures stand out along the coast during low tide.
Locals also reap another sort of harvest from the salt marshes. Salt, or “white gold,” is collected from a series of channels and pools as the water evaporates in the summer months.
