Apr. 7, 2003
Image from orbit across Africa - From the cradle of mankind to the oldest desert -
The 250 meter
GLI images above were captured on February 20, 2003. These images cover parts of eastern and southern Africa.
The true-color image shown on the left was composed using the spectral channels 22 (660 nm), 21 (545 nm) and 20 (460 nm) in the visible region. Dark green regions correspond to planted areas, light brown to deserts, and white to clouds.
The false-color image shown on the right was composed using the spectral channels 28 (1640 nm), 23 (825 nm) and 22 (660 nm) from visible to the short-wavelength infrared region. Lake Victoria can be clearly seen in the upper right; the water surface appears black due to the low reflection of long wavelengths from the water. Many lakes lie in a westerly direction from Lake Victoria, indicating the location of the Great Rift Valley, which is considered the birthplace of modern mankind. Clear green regions correspond to planted areas, and blue regions to clouds.
The lower left image is a closeup of the Namib Desert, which faces the Atlantic Ocean. Looking carefully, we can see many stripe patterns running from north to south; there are peaks and valleys of sand dunes. These patterns are perpendicular to the wind direction blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, complicated curved stripe patterns shown in inland areas indicate the cross section of weathered rocks.
The lower right image is a closeup of the southern part of Uganda. Purple indicates its capital city, Kampala; bright green, vegetated areas; green to dark green, evergreen broadleaf trees; red, savannas. There is much vegetation near Lake Victoria.
Earth Observation Research and application Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
JAXA EORC
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