
Lights of Southeast Asia
Category: Science,
2025-05-10 22:02
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured a striking nighttime image of Southeast Asia, highlighting lightning storms and fishing boat lights near Burma, Thailand, and Laos.
An astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) took a remarkable nighttime photograph while orbiting above the Andaman Sea, focusing on parts of Southeast Asia, including Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, and Laos. The image, captured during a night with little or no moonlight, reveals vivid displays of artificial and natural lights. In the foreground, bright flashes of lightning from a thunderstorm illuminate the clouds near the coast of Burma, providing a dramatic contrast to the darkness of the sea and land. Offshore, clusters of lights from fishing boats are visible, a common sight in the region where night fishing is prevalent. These boats often use powerful lamps to attract fish, creating distinctive patterns of light on the water. The photograph also shows the subtle glow of urban areas in Thailand and Laos, though these are less prominent compared to the intense lightning and fishing boat lights. Such images from the ISS not only offer a unique perspective on Earth's nocturnal landscapes but also help scientists study weather patterns, human activity, and environmental changes in remote regions. The photo was published by NASA's Earth Observatory, a reputable source for satellite and astronaut imagery.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory (.gov)
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