Showing posts with label European Space Agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Space Agency. Show all posts

Saturday, 26 March 2016

Namibia: African gem from space | Намибия из Космоса

#SatelliteImageOfNamibia
#NamibiaAfrica'sGem 
#НамибияИзКосмоса

Earth from space: African gem

Namibia: African gem from space | Намибия из Космоса


This Envisat image, acquired on 4 July 2011, shows southern Namibia and northern South Africa on Africa’s lower-west coast. We can clearly see the sand dunes of the Namib Desert - considered to be the oldest desert in the world. To the south of the desert is the Sperrgebiet diamond mining area. Further south, the Orange River forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay, which is noticeable by a lighter green colour in this image. Credit: ESA
 

This Envisat image shows southern Namibia and northern South Africa on Africa's lower-west coast.

We can clearly see the sand dunes of the Namib Desert – considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Partially located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, it is also the site of some of the world’s tallest dunes, rising over 300 m in height. These dunes slope down into the Sossusvlei salt and clay pan.

To the south of the desert is the Sperrgebiet diamond mining area. Between them is Luderitz, a German-colonized town that was prosperous in the early 20th century after the discovery of the gemstones.

Further south, the Orange River forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay, which is noticeable by a lighter green color in this image.

Two towns lie on either side of this river: Namibia’s Oranjemund on the north shore and South Africa’s Alexander Bay on the south. Both were established in the early 20th century to service the diamond mines.

This image was acquired on 4 July 2011 by Envisat’s Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer in full resolution mode.

Provided by: European Space Agency
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service & other inquiries contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Friday, 25 March 2016

Namibia: satellite image of Etosha's salt pan | Спутниковое фото парка Этоша в Намибии

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#EtoshaParkSatelliteImage

The most prominent feature is the Etosha salt pan. It is believed that a lake was first formed tens of millions of years ago. More recently – mere thousands of years ago – the Kunene River would have flowed through this area, filling the large lake before tectonic movement changed the river course. The lake then dried up, leaving behind some 4800 sq km of exposed minerals.




Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015], processed by ESA

Today only the Ekuma River, seen flowing down from the upper left, feeds water into the pan – but very little water actually flows in as it seeps into the riverbed.

Part of the wider Etosha National Park, the pan is a designated Ramsar wetland of international importance. It is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia, seeing as many as one million flamingos at a time during the wet season when rain water forms pools in parts of the pan.

Built-up mounds of clay and salt throughout the pan also draw animals who use them as salt licks. Animals including lions, elephants, leopards and even black rhinoceroses can be seen in the park.

The name 'Etosha' means 'great white place' in the language of the local Ovambo tribe – and looking at the image we understand why.

The straight lines cutting across the image are roads, and the one on the right side clearly delineates the border of the protected park to the south. On the northern side of the road, we can see agricultural structures.






Provided by: European Space Agency
www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service & other inquiries contact: info@traveltonamibia.com