EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Green Flash Sequence Observed from Civitavecchia, Italy

February 16, 2021

MarcoM_green_flash

Photographer: Marco Meniero
Summary Author: Marco Meniero

Shown above is a green flash sequence that I observed at sunset on
November 22, 2020. I took 280 shots of the solar disk during the last 5
minutes before it cleared the horizon at Civitavecchia (Rome) Italy.
The camera is facing out over the Tyrrhenian Sea. I used the six best
images of the green flash for this composition.

A flash of green light can sometimes be detected on the Sun’s upper
rim as the solar disk approaches the horizon (rising or setting). The
emerald color is due to atmospheric dispersion. In essence,
different colors of visible light are bent different amounts, with
the shorter wavelengths, including blues and greens, refracting
more strongly than the longer wavelengths. Note that the black band
resembling Pacman's mouth is in actuality a cloud positioned just above
the horizon.

Photo Details: Canon EOS 1DXMk2 camera; set in annual mode with 14fps
and 50Iso burst; Canon EF400 lens; f / 2.8; image amplifier (AMPLI by
COMA) that pulled the focal length up to 4500 mm
* Civitavecchia, Italy Coordinates: 42.08949, 11.79088

Related EPODs

Green Flash Sequence Observed from Civitavecchia, Italy Lunar
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Observed in Fog at Nags Head, North Carolina Lunar Halo Above Evia,
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Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 8 weeks, 6 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Archive - Aurora Observed from Space Station

January 16, 2021

Iss006-e-47517_540

Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives. This EPOD
was originally published January 16, 2004.

Provided by: NASA Earth Observatory
Summary authors & editors: Earth Observatory; Jim Foster

According to Expedition 6 Science Officer Don Pettit, aboard the
International Space Station (ISS), being in orbit around the Earth
offers a unique perspective on auroras. He mentioned that when their
orbit coincided with local midnight at high latitudes, the lights were
turned down so that it was possible to peer out the windows at the
breathtaking views of the shimmering northern lights. The above photo
was taken from the ISS as it orbited over the Southern Hemisphere,
approximately 400 km above the Earth’s surface, on April 20, 2003.

Most of the auroral light is emitted by oxygen atoms excited from
bombardment by charged solar particles. Charged particles consisting of
atomic fragments released by the Sun stream through space and run into
Earth’s magnetic field. When a charged particle encounters our magnetic
field, a force perpendicular to the motion is created, which diverts
the particle into a spiral path until it collides with atoms in the
upper atmosphere. The collisions excite the atoms (oxygen and nitrogen)
into emitting light, in much the same way that electrons pumped inside
of a glass tube filled with neon gas create a neon light. Green light
is the color most commonly observed. It's emitted from excited oxygen,
centered around a wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum of 558
nanometers. Red light, emitted about wavelengths in the 630 nanometer
region, is less infrequently observed. Green emissions extend from
about 100 km altitude to approximately 300 km, whereas the red
emissions lie on top of the green and extend to perhaps 500 km.


Related EPODs

Archive - Aurora Observed from Space Station The Golden Hour at
Rocky Mountain National Park Lunar Fogbow Observed in Saxony,
Germany Parisian Sky: Glaciating Virga Crepuscular Rays over
the Roof Tops of Manchester November Gales on Lake Michigan
More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 4 weeks, 3 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

March 16, 2021


1canyonland

Photographer: Christina Griessl
Summary Authors: Christina Griessl; Patrick Wiggins

Seen above is sunrise under Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National
Park, Utah. In the near distance are formations called Washer
Woman on the left and Monster Tower on the right and Airport
Tower further back. Photo taken January 15, 2018.
* Canyonlands National Park, Utah Coordinates: 38.26642,
-109.87999

Related EPODs

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah Archive - Barchan
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Islands, Turkey Capo Murro di Porco Lighthouse and Maddalena
Peninsula Sherwin Lakes, California
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Geography Links

* Atlapedia Online
* CountryReports
* GPS Visualizer
* Holt Rinehart Winston World Atlas
* Mapping Our World
* Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
* Types of Land
* World Mapper

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 12 weeks, 6 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Wave Clouds over Northwestern Washington State

April 16, 2021

Wave Clouds and Deer_DxO

Photographer: Joe LaCour
Summary Author: Joe LaCour

Looking Southeast from Dungeness, Washington, the setting Sun
illuminated these very interesting and complex appearing wave
clouds that formed as westerly winds blew over the Olympic Range
(off the right side of this photo). Between about 5,000 and 10,000 ft
(1,524 - 3,048 m), winds were measured at 40 to 60 knots. Wave
clouds such as these are often observed on the lee side of the
Olympics. Note the friendly visitor in the foreground, feasting on some
of our shrubs. Photo taken on February 21, 2021.

Photo Details: Leica M9 camera; 35 mm Summicron lens; f5.6; processed
with DxO.
* Dungeness, Washington Coordinates: 48.1468, -123.1232

Related EPODs

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More...

Cloud Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* The Cloud Appreciation Society
* Cloud Atlas
* Color and Light in Nature

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 2 days, 22 hours, 42 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Mineral Moon and ISS Transit

June 16, 2021


Composite_1_1

Merek_ISS_189654317_3121762714776786_8896917478792884007_n

Photographers: Alexandru Barbovschi; Marek Stromayer
Summary Author: Alexandru Barbovschi

Shown above in the top photo is the International Space Station
(ISS) transiting the full mineral Moon as observed from the
Republic of Moldovia on March 26, 2021. This crossing occurred
precisely at at 22:19:00 local time – a duration just 0.7 seconds.

Each of the colors on the Moon’s surface represents a class of
minerals. For instance, blue areas are rich in titanium, while
orange areas are titanium poor. A common lunar mineral, ilmenite,
is rich in titanium oxides. Regions abundant in titanium are of
interest because lunar titanium is bound to oxygen. Of course,
oxygen is critical for not only providing future astronauts a source of
air to breath but for use as an oxidizer for rocket engines. Photo
taken on March 26, 2021. Note that the bottom photo shows a close up
view of another transit occurring earlier in the year.

Photo details: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount (it has a lunar
tracking mode available); Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED (72/420mm); filter
wheel with Baader LRGB filters set (for the transit UV/IR filter was
used); Barlow 2x lens; ZWO ASI174MM camera. The ISS image was cropped
out and was stacked separately to improve clarity and sharpness.
* Republic of Moldova Coordinates: 47.00, 29.00

Related EPODs

Mineral Moon and ISS Transit The Noose of Mars in 2020
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More...

Night Sky Links

* Space Weather Live
* Space Weather Live Forum
* About the Moon
* American Meteor Society
* Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
* Global City Lights
* Heavens Above Home Page
* The International Meteor Organization
* Lunar and Planetary Institute
* MoonConnection
* NASA Eclipse Web Page
* Understanding The Moon Phases

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 5 weeks, 5 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Lenticular Cloud over Turin, Italy

July 16, 2021


Piero_IMG_4734

Photographer: Piero Armando
Summary Authors: Piero Armando; Jim Foster

These peculiar looking clouds (at top) appeared over Turin, Italy,
during the evening of May 7, 2021. Known as lenticular clouds
(altocumulus lenticularis), they tend to occur along the lee slopes
of mountain ranges when stable air is lifted and begins to
undulate. If moisture is available aloft, lens-shaped or
saucer-shaped clouds will form in the flattened crests of the waves.
It’s here that the air current is coolest, thus promoting condensation.

Photo details: Canon EOS 600D camera; 1/320 second exposure; F/7.1; 70
mm focal length; ISO 100.
* Turin, Italy Coordinates: 45.0703, 7.6869

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More...

Cloud Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* The Cloud Appreciation Society
* Cloud Atlas
* Color and Light in Nature

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 10 weeks, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Comet NEOWISE Seen from Quebec City

August 16, 2021

C2020F3_NEOWISE_14juil20 - Copie - Copie - Copie - Copie - Copie

Photographer: Philippe Moussette
Summary Authors: Philippe Moussette; Jim Foster

Shown above is a gorgeous view of Comet NEOWISE as observed last
summer above Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Chateau Frontenac
dominates the foreground. Because NEOWISE has a long elliptical
orbit, a view such as this won’t occur for another 6,800 years.
Unfortunately, no bright comets are predicted to grace the sky in
2021. Photo taken on July 14, 2020.

Photo details: 1DX Mark III Cannon camera; 300 mm lens; f2.8; 2 seconds
exposure time; 1600 ISO, on a fixed tripod.
* Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Coordinates: 46.8139, -71.2080

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Night Sky Links

* Space Weather Live
* Space Weather Live Forum
* About the Moon
* American Meteor Society
* Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
* Global City Lights
* Heavens Above Home Page
* The International Meteor Organization
* Lunar and Planetary Institute
* MoonConnection
* NASA Eclipse Web Page
* Understanding The Moon Phases

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 14 weeks, 3 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


22-Degree Halo Observed from Norfolk, Virginia

September 16, 2021

RobBruner_A61041B4-D730-44C3-8211-9072F4E559F7

Photographer: Rob Bruner
Summary Author: Rob Bruner; Jim Foster
Stepping outside from lunch one day earlier this year, I couldn’t help
but notice this 22-degre solar halo. Circular halos about the
Sun (and Moon) are caused by randomly oriented ice crystals in the
atmosphere that act like mirrors and prisms to reflect and refract
light away from the Sun. The 22-degree halo, and in fact all halos, are
polarized. Note the contrails at left center, running through
and tangent to this halo. When looking in the vicinity of the Sun,
always makes sure to protect your eyes. Photo taken near Norfolk,
Virginia on May 2, 2021.
* Norfolk Virginia Coordinates: 36.8508, -76.2859

Related EPODs

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More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 1 week, 6 days, 21 hours, 55 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)