STS066-157-145
| NASA Photo ID | STS066-157-145 |
| Focal Length | 250mm |
| Date taken | 1994.11.08 |
| Time taken | 07:17:09 GMT |
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 44.4° N, 59.4° E
Photo center point: 44.0° N, 59.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point: 44.0° N, 59.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: Southwest
Spacecraft Altitude: 161 nautical miles (298km)
Country or Geographic Name: | UZBEKISTAN |
Features: | SW ARAL SEA, SEDIMENT |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 0 (no clouds present) |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 29° |
Sun Azimuth: | 172° |
Camera: | Linhof |
Focal Length: | 250mm |
Camera Tilt: | 12 degrees |
Format: | 5046: Kodak, natural color positive, Lumiere 100/5046, ASA 100, standard base |
Film Exposure: | Normal |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5248 pixels | 4096 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 640 pixels | 499 pixels | No | No | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 640 pixels | 480 pixels | No | No | ISD 1 | Download Image |
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Image Caption: STS066-157-145 Amu-Darya Delta, Uzbekistan November 1994
The Amu-Darya rises in the Pamir Mountains of central Asia and flows 1600 miles (2575 km) before entering the southern Aral Sea through a large delta. The river provides water for irrigation, especially to desert lands to the south of the Aral Sea. These waters from the Amu-Darya flowing into the Aral Sea have been greatly reduced in the last 45 years because of this intensive irrigation. This has caused water levels in the sea to decline thus exposing the delta area as now seen in this image. In the upper right quadrant, the southern portion of Renaissance Island (Vorzrozhdeniya Island) is visible. This island, located in the central Aral Sea, continues to expand as water levels in the sea continue to decline. Renaissance Island was formerly used as the site of the former USSR Government's Microbiological Warfare Group. It was here that the deadly Antrax Virus was developed and stored. As the Aral Sea continues to dry and water levels recede, the ever-expanding island will connect to the surrounding land. Scientists fear that reptiles, including snakes, that have been exposed to the various viruses, will move on to the surrounding land and possibly infect the humans living around the shores of the Aral Sea.
The Amu-Darya rises in the Pamir Mountains of central Asia and flows 1600 miles (2575 km) before entering the southern Aral Sea through a large delta. The river provides water for irrigation, especially to desert lands to the south of the Aral Sea. These waters from the Amu-Darya flowing into the Aral Sea have been greatly reduced in the last 45 years because of this intensive irrigation. This has caused water levels in the sea to decline thus exposing the delta area as now seen in this image. In the upper right quadrant, the southern portion of Renaissance Island (Vorzrozhdeniya Island) is visible. This island, located in the central Aral Sea, continues to expand as water levels in the sea continue to decline. Renaissance Island was formerly used as the site of the former USSR Government's Microbiological Warfare Group. It was here that the deadly Antrax Virus was developed and stored. As the Aral Sea continues to dry and water levels recede, the ever-expanding island will connect to the surrounding land. Scientists fear that reptiles, including snakes, that have been exposed to the various viruses, will move on to the surrounding land and possibly infect the humans living around the shores of the Aral Sea.
