Image: ISS021-E-15710 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Description: This detailed astronaut photograph illustrates the southern coastline of the Hawaiian island Oahu, including Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941—68 years ago—a surprise attack by the Japanese Navy on Pearl Harbor and other targets on the island of Oahu precipitated the entry of the United States into World War II. Today, Pearl Harbor is still in use as a major United States Navy installation, and along with Honolulu, it is one of the most heavily developed parts of the island. A comparison between this image and a 2003 astronaut photograph of Pearl Harbor suggests that little observable land use or land cover change has occurred in the area over the past six years. The most significant difference is the presence of more naval vessels in the Reserve Fleet anchorage in Middle Loch (image center). The urban areas of Waipahu, Pearl City, and Aliamanu border the harbor to the northwest, north, and east. The built-up areas, recognizable by linear streets and white rooftops, contrast sharply with the reddish volcanic soils and green vegetation on the surrounding hills. ISS Crew Earth Observations: ISS021-E-15710 Identification Mission ISS021 (Expedition 21) Roll E Frame 15710 Country or Geographic Name USA-HAWAII Features PEARL HARBOR, PEARL CITY, WAIPAHU Center Point Latitude 21.4° N Center Point Longitude -158.0° E Camera Camera Tilt 8° Camera Focal Length 400 mm Camera Nikon D2Xs Film 4288 x 2848 pixel CMOS sensor, RGBG imager color filter. Quality Percentage of Cloud Cover 0-10% Nadir What is Nadir? Date 2009-10-27 Time 17:57:32 Nadir Point Latitude 21.5° N Nadir Point Longitude -157.6° E Nadir to Photo Center Direction West Sun Azimuth 113° Spacecraft Altitude 185 nautical miles (343 km) Sun Elevation Angle 18° Orbit Number 2683
Title: ISS021-E-15710 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Credit: http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=ISS021&roll=E&frame=15710
Author: Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center, Expedition 21 Derivative work including removal of dust spots, grading.: Julian Herzog
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No