Stunning Images of Earth from Space by ISRO
ISRO Releases Earth Images Captured by Oceansat-3: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has released breathtaking images of Earth captured by its Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-06), also known as Oceansat-3.The satellite used its Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) to capture the images, which reveal every continent and were taken between February 1 and 15, 2023. The breathtaking images were created by combining 2,939 images and processing 300 GB of data to create a mosaic with a spatial resolution of 1 km. Different continents are visible in different colours due to variations in wavelengths.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Global Vegetation and Ocean Biota Data from OCM-3
ISRO has confirmed that the images contain information about global vegetation cover on land and ocean biota. The OCM is capable of sensing the Earth in 13 distinct wavelengths, making it a powerful tool for oceanography and atmospheric research. Oceansat-3 is a nanosatellite that was launched by ISRO in November 2022, as part of a larger constellation of satellites.
Nanosatellite Oceansat-3 Equipped with Advanced Tools
Oceansat-3 is outfitted with three primary instruments: the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM-3), the Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM), and the Ku-Band Scatterometer (SCAT-3), as well as the ARGOS system. The satellite can use chlorophyll and SST, wind speed, and land-based applications to identify potential fishing zones.
Internet Users Amazed by Earth Images, Go Viral on Social Media
The images sparked widespread awe and admiration among internet users, who flooded social media with comments about the planet’s breathtaking beauty. Some even expressed pride in their home countries. The images have gone viral, with many users describing them as “mind-blowing” and a “feast for the eyes.”
The release of the images comes shortly after a tweet from NASA, which shared an old image of Earth at night that showed human settlements across the planet.
Important Takeaways for All Competitive Exams:
- ISRO Chairman: S. Somanath;
- ISRO foundation Date: 15th August, 1969;
- ISRO Founder: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.