Posted on 09/28/2013 2:08:39 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: From a geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator, Russian meteorological satellite Elektro-L takes high-resolution images our fair planet every 30 minutes. But only twice a year, during an Equinox, can it capture an image like this one, showing an entire hemisphere bathed in sunlight. At an Equinox, the Earth's axis of rotation is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, so the solar illumination can extend to both the planet's poles. Of course, this Elektro-L picture was recorded on September 22nd, at the northern hemisphere's autumnal equinox. For a moment on that date, the Sun was behind the geostationary satellite and a telltale glint of reflected sunlight is seen crossing the equator, at the location on the planet with satellite and sun directly overhead (5MB animated gif).
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit: Roscosmos / NTSOMZ / zelenyikot.livejournal.com; Courtesy: Igor Tirsky]
Is it just me or does it seem like photos of earth work extra hard not to show America?
In order to show a complete hemisphere wouldn’t the pic have to be shot directly above either the north or South Pole? I know, technically, any pic taken of any half of the globe would be of “a hemisphere”. However, our globe, longitudely, is not typically defined in terms of east/west.
That photo was taken by a Russian Satelite,What would you expect?/sarcasm
In reality though,you have to take the photo when and. Where the time is best.I’m sure if NASA took that photo the entire Western Hemisphere would have been in the Dark as it would have been nighttime.
Then the last four photos/maps of earth I’ve seen were all taken at the same time.
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