10 extraordinary space photographs of nature and disasters
The 9/11 attack from space
One of the most compelling images is a view of New York City from space captured by NASA’s Landsat 7 satellite shortly after the attacks. The photo reveals the smoke billowing from Ground Zero and the impact on the cityscape.
Huge clouds of smoke hover over the city, which contrast sharply with the otherwise bustling urban landscape. This image captures the scale of the destruction and the profound impact of the attacks on the city and the world.
Image source: NASA
Northern lights over Norway
In stark contrast to the bleak image of 9/11, photos of the aurora borealis offer a glimpse into the beauty of nature. These images captured from the International Space Station (ISS) show the aurora borealis dancing across the Arctic sky.
Glowing green and purple auroras are visible from space, illustrating the magnetic interactions between the solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere.
Image source: NASA
Sahara desert from orbit
Another awe-inspiring photo captures the Sahara desert, showing its vast arid expanse from space. The image highlights the intricate patterns formed by the sand dunes of the desert and contrasts the desert with the surrounding regions.
Image source: ESA
The Great Barrier Reef from above
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the most famous marine ecosystems, is captured in stunning detail from space. The photo reveals vibrant coral reefs and the clear blue waters of the Coral Sea that surround them.
Image source: NASA
The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau
The Himalayas, including Mount Everest and the Tibetan Plateau, are seen from space in a photo that captures the majestic scale of the world’s highest mountain range. Snow-capped peaks and rugged terrain are visible, proving the majesty of these geological formations.
Image source: NASA
Amazon rainforest
Often referred to as the ‘lungs of the Earth’, the Amazon rainforest is captured from space in a photo that highlights the vastness of this critical ecosystem. The image shows the dense canopy of trees and the network of rivers meandering through the rainforest.
Image source: ESA
Fires in Hawaii
The fires that swept through Hawaii in 2023 were captured in vivid detail from space. Satellite images show large-scale fires consuming vast areas of vegetation. Clouds of smoke and scorched land are clearly visible, highlighting the intense and widespread nature of these fires.
Image source: space.com
Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia, the powerful storm that made landfall in the southeastern United States, has been captured in some dramatic space images. The photos show swirling clouds and a well-defined eye of the hurricane.
The images show the massive scale of the storm system and its potential impact on coastal and inland areas, providing a striking visualization of the storm’s intensity and path of destruction.
Image source: NASA
Damage caused by the earthquake in Turkey
After the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, images from space provided a comprehensive view of the affected regions. The images reveal the extent of the damage to infrastructure and the altered landscape.
The extent of the destruction is evident from space and offers insight into the challenges faced during rescue and recovery operations.
Image source: NASA
Flooding in Libya
The catastrophic floods that hit Libya in 2023 were also captured from orbit. Satellite images show vast bodies of water inundating urban and rural areas, demonstrating the severity of the flooding.
The contrast between the flood water and the surrounding landscape highlights the extensive impact of the disaster on communities and infrastructure.
Image source: NASA
Read also: India-Pakistan, North-South Korea and other international borders visible from space
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