Space Station Explorers Launches “Mystery Images from Space” Activity
UPDATE:
The Mystery Images from Space activity has moved. Windows on Earth now posts a weekly #MysteryImage @WinEarthPhotos on Twitter.
ORIGINAL STORY:
In December 2016, Space Station Explorers launched “Mystery Images from Space,” an online activity that will feature a new photograph of Earth each week. Earth photography, for both work and play, is part of daily life on the International Space Station. Astronauts photograph locations on Earth that scientists request and snap pictures of Earth’s beauty as it unfolds below for their own enjoyment. No matter your age or level of education, if you like looking at awe-inspiring photos and asking questions about our fascinating planet, you’ll enjoy the Mystery Images.
There are a lot of cameras in the CupolaA small module on the International Space Station with seven windows for observing and photographing Earth, spacecraft arrivals and departures, and spacewalks.! Some are handheld by astronauts and some are anchored with articulating arms. Usually their lenses are pointing out the window toward Earth, but some of them are turned inward.
Media Credit: NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Each week’s image presents two challenges: (1) try to figure out the location and (2) carefully study the image to learn more about Earth. The website provides clues for solving the mysteries through built-in tools such as maps and nighttime image overlays.
The first Mystery Image from Space features a familiar and densely populated landform. Close inspection will spark some interesting questions about the image. This landform is mostly surrounded by water. How has that affected its role in history? There are more clouds over the land than over the water. Why? This region has active volcanoes. How have they shaped the land in the past and how are they affecting the land and the people living there right now?
Studying each week’s Mystery Image can reveal surprising details of Earth science, history, and geography, leading to new insights into our changing planet and our impact on it. It also offers a global perspective from an orbiting astronaut’s point of view. Through the windows of the Station’s cupola, astronauts don’t see any political boundaries on Earth, making it clear that all humans occupy one unique, delicate planet floating in space.
Those who want to explore more photos taken by ISSInternational Space Station astronauts can find a huge archive that is updated daily at WindowsOnEarth.org.
“Mystery Images from Space” was developed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes).) in collaboration with TERC (an educational non-profit), Myriad (a software development company), and NASA.