STS049-71-58
| NASA Photo ID | STS049-71-58 |
| Focal Length | 250mm |
| Date taken | 1992.05.08 |
| Time taken | 06:40:25 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
5274 x 5221 pixels 640 x 633 pixels 5700 x 6000 pixels 500 x 526 pixels 640 x 480 pixels
5274 x 5221 pixels 640 x 633 pixels 5700 x 6000 pixels 500 x 526 pixels 640 x 480 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 23.6° S, 31.3° E
Photo center point: 24.0° S, 31.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point: 24.0° S, 31.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: Southwest
Spacecraft Altitude: 174 nautical miles (322km)
Country or Geographic Name: | REPUBLIC SOUTH AFRICA |
Features: | PHALABORWA, MINING |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 0 (no clouds present) |
Sun Elevation Angle: | ° |
Sun Azimuth: | ° |
Camera: | Hasselblad |
Focal Length: | 250mm |
Camera Tilt: | 10 degrees |
Format: | 5017: Kodak, natural color positive, Ektachrome, X Professional, ASA 64, standard base |
Film Exposure: | Normal |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5274 pixels | 5221 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 640 pixels | 633 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 5700 pixels | 6000 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 500 pixels | 526 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 640 pixels | 480 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: STS049-071-58 Open Pit Mining, Phalaborwa Area, South Africa May 1992
West of Kruger National Park in extreme northeast South Africa are two very large open-pit mining activities. The environmental disturbance to the landscape is quite dramatic in the photograph. The two open-pit mines can be identified by their active mining characteristics--spoil banks or debris piles and water-filled holding or settling ponds. Apparently, both copper and iron ore are mined in this area. The small mining town of Phalaborwa is visible immediately north of the mines. The Olifants River, a tributary to the Limpopo River, flows generally northeastward and passes south of the mining operation. A narrow, highly reflective corridor provides access from the mining site to the Olifants River. Most of the land in this region is used for grazing sheep, cattle, and goats; however, there is some crop production (wheat, maize, and sorghum), especially south of the Olifants River. The overall climate for this area is a transitional zone from a semiarid grassland environment to a more humid temperate climate with a definite dry season during the winter months.
West of Kruger National Park in extreme northeast South Africa are two very large open-pit mining activities. The environmental disturbance to the landscape is quite dramatic in the photograph. The two open-pit mines can be identified by their active mining characteristics--spoil banks or debris piles and water-filled holding or settling ponds. Apparently, both copper and iron ore are mined in this area. The small mining town of Phalaborwa is visible immediately north of the mines. The Olifants River, a tributary to the Limpopo River, flows generally northeastward and passes south of the mining operation. A narrow, highly reflective corridor provides access from the mining site to the Olifants River. Most of the land in this region is used for grazing sheep, cattle, and goats; however, there is some crop production (wheat, maize, and sorghum), especially south of the Olifants River. The overall climate for this area is a transitional zone from a semiarid grassland environment to a more humid temperate climate with a definite dry season during the winter months.
