Skylab 3 Infrared View of Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily

Author

Preview

Title - Alternative

Mount Etna Lava Fields and Agricultural Lands from Space

Keywords

Aeronautics, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, Skylab 3

Photo Description

SKYLAB 3 EREP PHOTO -- A vertical view of the eastern coast of Sicily area is seen in this Skylab 3 Earth Resources Experiments Package S190-B (five-inch Earth terrain camera) infrared photograph taken from the Skylab space station in Earth orbit. Mount Etna, the highest volcano (10,958 feet) in Europe, is still active as evidenced by the thin plume of smoke emanating from its crest. Recent lava flows appear black in contrast to the older flows and volcanic debris that are red on the flanks of Etna. Numerous small circular cinder cones on the flanks represent sites of previous eruptions. Catania, on the Mediterranean coast south of Etna, is the largest of several cities and villages which appear as light gray patches on the lower slopes of the volcano. Piano di Catania, south of the city, is outlined by polygonal light and dark agricultural tracts. Several lava fields, the largest of which is labeled Milo, show up in dark blue in the photograph. The unusual colors in the picture are due to the use of color infrared film in which vegetation appears red. This is very evident on the slopes of Etna, in the Monti Nebrodi area (upper left), and in the local areas in the lower part of the picture. Studies of Mount Etna and related volcanic features will be undertaken by Professor Roberto Cassinis of the Servizio Geologico d'Italia, Rome. (Note: the elevation of 10,958 feet is approximate because the height of the volcano changes with each eruption.) Federal agencies participating with NASA on the EREP project are the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers. All EREP photography is available to the public through the Department of Interior's Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57198.

Publication Date

10-30-1973

Format

image/jpeg

Number of Images

2

Side of Image

Front of Image

Publisher

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Original Size

8" x 10"

Identifier

DP0057714-0014a

NASA Photo Number

108-KSC-73PC-745; 73PC-846; 73H-1059; SL3-87-355

Photo Credit

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Location

John C. Hitt Library

Department

Special Collections & University Archives

Collection

Official NASA Photographs, Vol. 3, October 2, 1973 - February 14, 1974