File:Bloom off New Zealand (MODIS 2021-11-24).png
Original file (6,593 × 5,388 pixels, file size: 27.46 MB, MIME type: image/png)
Captions
Summary
[edit]DescriptionBloom off New Zealand (MODIS 2021-11-24).png |
English: Swirls of green and blue colored the deep blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean off the east coast of New Zealand as the surface waters reflected the shimmer of sunglint in mid-November 2021. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image on November 19.
The jewel-toned colors riding the ocean currents are caused by a bloom of phytoplankton, which are microscopic plant-like organisms. They live in the waters year-round in small numbers but when conditions are favorable, they begin to reproduce explosively, creating giant “blooms” that are easily seen from space. The waters east of New Zealand often provide a rich environment for phytoplankton growth. This is where currents from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean meet. As they pass by each other, the turbulence stirs up cool, nutrient-rich waters from the ocean depths. Springtime brings sufficient sunlight, helping spur the growth of the surface-dwelling phytoplankton. While the brilliant ocean color comes from living organisms, silver-toned sunglint is an optical phenomenon. This occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of water at the same angle that a satellite sensor views it. The result is a mirror-like specular reflection of sunlight off the water and back at the satellite sensor or astronaut. |
||
Date | Taken on 19 November 2021 | ||
Source |
Bloom off New Zealand (direct link)
|
||
Author | MO'DIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC |
This media is a product of the Aqua mission Credit and attribution belongs to the mission team, if not already specified in the "author" row |
Licensing
[edit]Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse |
This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". (See Template:PD-USGov, NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy.) | ||
Warnings:
|
File history
Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.
Date/Time | Thumbnail | Dimensions | User | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
current | 14:24, 20 January 2024 | 6,593 × 5,388 (27.46 MB) | OptimusPrimeBot (talk | contribs) | #Spacemedia - Upload of http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/images/image11242021_250m.jpg via Commons:Spacemedia |
You cannot overwrite this file.
File usage on Commons
There are no pages that use this file.