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.


El Drago Tree on the Island of Tenerife

January 20, 2022

DSC07862EPODSUBMISS

Photographer: Kevin Saragozza

Summary Author: Kevin Saragozza

During a holiday trip, I had the opportunity to admire the El Drago
tree, also known as Drago Milenario or Drago de Icod de los Vinos. The
tree is the oldest and largest living specimen of Dracaena draco,
or dragon tree, found in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. It is said to
be a thousand years old, although its exact age is disputed. In
addition to being beautiful to photograph, El Drago is one of the
symbols of Tenerife and was declared a national monument in 1917.
This specific tree has been depicted on the 1,000 peseta note and
it is also part of the coat of arms of the municipality of Icod de
los Vinos. In addition, El Drago is a popular subject in local legends.
El Drago is about 65-69 feet (20-21 meters) tall and has a total
circumference of about 65 feet (20 meters) from its more than 300 main
branches. The trunk contains a 20 foot (6 meter) high cavity,
accessible through a door, with a fan installed to provide ventilation.
It is estimated to weigh about 154 US tons (140 tonnes). When it
flowered in 1995, it had about 1,800 flowering branches, with its
weight increasing by 7,700 pounds (3.5 tonnes) during the fruiting
season.
Photo details: Sony a7iii + canon 16 35f4 is, 1/200 sec. f/8 35 mm iso
50
* Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain Coordinates:
28.3671, -16.7138

Related EPODs

El Drago Tree on the Island of Tenerife Moonflower Water
Drops on Leaves A Many-Colored Fall in Blacksmith Fork Canyon
Archive - Bountiful Autumn Wind Doesn't Break a Tree that Bends
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Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

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

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 6 weeks, 4 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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 - Upheaval Dome

March 19, 2022

Upheavaldome

Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.

This EPOD was originally published on July 28, 2011.

Photographer: Steven Schimmrich
Summary Author: Steven Schimmrich

The panorama above shows Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National
Park, Utah as viewed from the Overlook Trail. Upheaval Dome is
an odd appearing structure in an area of otherwise flat-lying
sedimentary rocks. While originally believed to be a deeply eroded
uplift dome from the intrusion of a salt diapir (salt dome),
evidence now indicates its origin as an ancient meteorite impact
structure.

The lighter color rock at center is the Permian White Rim
Sandstone of the Cutler Group, the prominent cliff faces
are resistant Jurassic Wingate Sandstone, and in between lie the
more easily eroded Triassic Moenkopi and Chinle Formations.
Evidence suggesting that this is an impact structure include the
orientation of the folds and faults surrounding the structure,
the finding of shocked quartz in the vicinity, and seismic
reflection data indicating fractured rock below the structure and the
absence of a salt dome. Photo taken on June 7, 2010.

Photo details: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 camera; 35-400 mm zoom lens
(f/2.8-3.7); automatic exposure; panorama created from seven images
stitched together with Hugin 2011.0.0 Panoramic Photo Stitcher.
* Upheaval Dome, Utah Coordinates: 38.43473, -109.95138

Related EPODs

Archive - Upheaval Dome Grosvenor Double Arch Punta Bianca
Rock Outcropping Archive - Red Beach, Peru Archive - Cave of
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Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 2 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Drone Image Over Mount Etna

April 20, 2022

EtnaFlySunMoon-16012022

Photographer: Rosario Catania

Summary Author: Rosario Catania

The photo above was taken with my drone during sunset on the cold
evening of January 16, 2022. The Moon had already risen in the
east, which made for a beautiful diametrically opposed view with
the Sun. Splitting the two in the photo is Mount Etna, majestic
and white with snow. This drone photo was taken in sphere mode and was
subsequently planarized to have a diagonal 180-degree view without
deformation. Besides the Sun and Moon, what left me breathless was the
sharp contrast between the dramatic sky and the Earth colored by the
intense red of a clear and cold sunset. An emotion to share with the
whole world.
* Nicolosi, Parsifal Park, Sicily Coordinates: 37.6426, 14.9944

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Drone Image Over Mount Etna Archive - Glacial Evidence in
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Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 7 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Haleakala Shadow and Belt of Venus

May 20, 2022

Haleakala umbra

Photographer: Steve Kluge

Summary Author: Steve Kluge

Every morning crowds gather on the summit of Haleakala on Maui,
Hawai'i, to watch the sunrise. While most folks' pre-sunrise attention
is focused to the eastern horizon, I like to look west to see the
Earth's umbra (shadow) and the Belt of Venus slowly setting.
From this 10,000-foot-high (3048 m) perch in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean, the curvature of Earth's umbra is clearly visible. I took this
photo on one of my sunrise visits, and I've always enjoyed seeing the
shadow of Haleakala cast over West Maui shortly after sunrise at the
summit.
* Maui, Hawai'i Coordinates: 20.7139, -156.2501

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Haleakala Shadow and Belt of Venus Four Types of Rainbows Over
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Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* 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 11 weeks, 4 days, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Moonlit Monte Viso

June 20, 2022

Mer-de-nuages-sous-les-etoiles-et-mont-viso

Photographer: Jean-François Gely

Summary Author: Jean-François Gely

The photo above shows the Cottian Alps and starlight as captured
from Col de Bouchet on the French-Italian border. Viewed together,
this perspective of the Milky Way with Monviso (also called
Monte Viso) half buried by snow and a sea of clouds in the valleys
below, serves as the perfect way to feel closer to what nature has to
tell us. The early hour lighting also adds to the scene as it is
illuminated by the Moon and contrasted by the Nin Sardi Refuge.

Leading up to this trip, I analyzed satellite images to find out if a
sea of ​​clouds was present on the Italian side of the pass.
Fortunately, my analysis was correct and this rewarding photo was
captured after a 5 mile or 8 kilometer hike that included 2887 ft / 880
m in elevation gain. Even if the sea of clouds below had gradually
dissipated, their presence still provided an inexplicable emotion.

From this perspective, the expanse of clouds under my feet alongside
the moonlit mountains gave me the impression of floating. Just me,
under the stars, facing 14°F / -10°C temperatures looking over this
remarkable landscape, almost made me forget the night descent with my
headlamp. Altogether, an indescribable feeling that I sincerely wish
you all to experience.
Photo details: Unfiltered Canon 6D + Samyang 24mm f/1.4 lens on simple
tripod. Foreground: 19 tiles. Each tile is a single exposure of 30
seconds at ISO 1600 and f/2.8. Sky: 19 tiles. Each tile is a single
exposure of 10 seconds at 6400 and f/2.8.
* Col Bouchet, France-Italy Border Coordinates: 44.8174, 7.0196

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Fallstreak Hole and Circumzenithal Arc over Hong Kong
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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 16 weeks, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Dendrite Inclusion in Opal

July 20, 2022


Opal

Photographer: Mila Zinkova

Summary Author: Mila Zinkova
In an earlier Earth Science Picture of the Day, I showed
dendrite crystals in amber. This type of crystal, typically
formed from metal oxides, has also been observed in precious
opals found in Ethiopia, as featured above. However, in opals, the
dendrites are sometimes presented as 3D like plumes. Click here to
see a video of this amazing opal with dendrite inclusions. It really
does look like a magical forest.


Related EPODs

Dendrite Inclusion in Opal New Eddystone Rock Varvite Park
in Brazil Volcanic Tunnels of Reunion Island The Castles of the
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More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 20 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina

August 19, 2022

Carlos_pampas_11BIS

Photographer: Carlos Di Nallo
Summary Author: Carlos Di Nallo

Featured above is a photo of the Carachipampa Volcano (dark color
at right center) located in the province of Catamarca, Argentina, in
the region called Puna. Pumice stone fields surround the volcanic
cone, showing that, in the past, the area was the scene of considerable
volcanic activity.

Also shown, in the foreground, are salt flats and sand dunes,
typical of the arid climate that characterizes this region. Panoramic
photos taken on May 12, 2022.

Photo details: Canon 6D camera; Canon 17/40mm lens.


Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina Coordinates: -26.760278, -67.741389


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Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina The Marmolada and the Partial
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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 24 weeks, 5 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Limestone Stratification near Modica, Sicily

September 20, 2022

Rocce sedimentarie 35mm

Photographer: Emanuele Nifosì
Summary Author: Emanuele Nifosì

Along the " Fiumara" (provincial road SP 54), a road that I travel
every morning on my way to school, the rocky spur featured above has
long fascinated me. It follows a bend in a stream near the Baroque
town of Modica (Ragusa, Sicily, Italy). This spur, part of the
Hyblaean Range, is composed of white limestone strata. When
facing the Sun, it's visible from miles away. Photo taken on April 11,
2022 (at 16:30 local time).

Photo details: Nikon D700 camera; 48mm; ISO 200; f/8; 1/400 second
exposure.
* Modica, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 36.8588, 14.7608

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Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina
More...

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 29 weeks, 1 day, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Witches Broom in Cygnus

October 20, 2022


JohnC_Veil_witchesbroom_80minnebAFinal_ABE_ChumackHRweb (003)

Photographer: John Chumack

Summary Author: John Chumack

Shown above is 52 Cygni (bright star at upper center) and NGC-6960
(Veil Nebula – " The Witches Broom"), a supernova remnant found
in the constellation of Cygnus, A massive star exploded about 5,000
years ago leaving this beautiful filamentary remnant amongst a
star-studded field of the Cygnus region of the Milky Way. Though it
may look spooky at this time of year, the Veil Nebula is in essence a
cloud of ionized gas and dust located about 2,400 light years from
Earth. Image taken from my backyard in Dayton, Ohio on August 23, 2022.

Photo details: Celestron 6-inch F5 Newtonian telescope; ZWO 294MC
Cooled Cmos Camera; Celestron Coma Corrector; L-Enhance Filter; Bisque
MYT mount; EAF; ASI Air app via Wi-Fi to my IPAD; 40 x 2-minute sub
exposures; 80 minutes total integration time.


Dayton, Ohio, Coordinates: 39.7589, -84.1916


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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 33 weeks, 3 days, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Partial Solar Eclipse of October 25, 2022, Observed over Athens

November 18, 2022


Ecl-sol-2022-10-25-labels

Photographer: Anthony Ayiomamitis

Summary Author: Anthony Ayiomamitis

We were very fortunate to have had a great stretch of weather here in
Greece during late October that allowed us to observe the second and
final solar eclipse for 2022. This was a partial eclipse, on
October25, but it shaded as much as 86% of the Sun for some
parts of western Siberia. It was visible to residents of Europe,
northeast Africa, the Middle East and western Asia. The eclipse depth
for Athens, Greece, was approximately 38%, with the eclipse having a
duration of two hours and fifteen minutes. Maximum eclipse occurred at
13:42:56 (UT+3 local time). Note, as an added bonus there were three
active solar regions; one at each of the limbs to the east and to
the west (AR3131 and AR3126, respectively) as well as another fainter
group just south of center (AR3130).

Athens, Greece Coordinates: 37.9838, 23.7275


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Sun Links

* NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory
* NASA Solar Eclipse Page
* NOAA Solar Calculator
* The Sun-Earth Connection: Heliophysics
* The Sunspot Cycle
* Solar System Exploration: The Sun
* The Sun Now
* This Week’s Sky

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

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 37 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

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.


Lunar Green Flash Sequence

December 20, 2022


Lorenzo_1668252846638_raggio verde (002)

Photographer: Lorenzo Busilacchi

Summary Authors: Lorenzo Busilacchi; Jim Foster

The photo sequence shows the green flash phenomenon during
moonset on May 15, 2022, as observed from Porto Ottiolu, Sardinia,
Italy. Most of us have heard the color “blue” used to describe the Moon
but rarely is the color “green” mentioned. Green flashes and green
colored rims of the Moon occur because of atmospheric dispersion –
near the horizon our eyes detect separate images for red, yellow, and
green colors. Since green is the topmost color we see, when atmospheric
conditions are right a burst of green light may be briefly noted as the
upper rim dips below the horizon.


Porto Ottiolu, Budoni, Sardinia, Italy Coordinates: 40.7374, 9.7079


Related EPODs

Lunar Green Flash Sequence La Palma Pillar Twinned Rainbow
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Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* 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 42 weeks, 1 day, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)