Science Tips Tips Tricks Technology This Forest Fire Was So Huge, NASA Spotted It From Space
Science Tips Tips Tricks Technology
18 hours ago
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Jon Christian
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Science Tips Tips Tricks Technology Blazing Up
The Bighorn Fire is a vicious blaze that’s been raging in Arizona since the beginning of June — forcing evacuations as recently as this week.
In fact, the fire has grown so large that satellites can easily see it from space, according to a new post by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Science Tips Tips Tricks Technology Terra Firma
NASA grabbed the imagery using its Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument, on board its Terra satellite, which was launched back in 1999.
The epic shot included in the post shows the fire’s progress over the Santa Catalina Mountains, North of Tucson. Vegetation is shown in red, according to NASA’s description of the shot, and burned areas are shown in gray.
Science Tips Tips Tricks Technology High View
ASTER, the space agency wrote, is a useful instrument for mapping the changing surface of the Earth because of its high resolution and capability of imaging in thermal infrared wavelengths.
NASA has used it to study the movement of glaciers, volcanic activity, crop health, weather, and the wellbeing of wetlands and coral reefs.
READ MORE: NASA’s ASTER Sees Arizona’s Bighorn Fire Burn Scar From Space [NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory]
More on fires: Devastating Fires in Amazon Rainforest Can Be Seen From Space