The oblique nighttime photograph of Indonesia, captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), presents a stunning view of the country’s main island chain, with city lights illuminating the coasts against the dark backdrop of the Indian Ocean. This image notably highlights the island of Java, recognized as both the geographic and economic hub of Indonesia, housing over 141 million residents, making it the most populous island globally.
Java belongs to the Greater Sunda Islands, an archipelago characterized by its active volcanoes, forming a distinctive island arc. These volcanoes limit the expansion of urban areas and are identifiable at night as dark spots encircled by vibrant city lights. However, the densely populated regions of Java face risks from geological phenomena, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis, linked to the tectonic activity associated with the Sunda Subduction Zone.
Among Java’s urban landscapes, Surabaya shines as the brightest region, marking Indonesia’s second-largest city and the capital of East Java province. The city’s Port of Tanjung Perak serves as the nation’s second busiest seaport, facilitating the transport of over 33 million tons of cargo and 9 million people each year. The lights visible around Java include not only urban luminescence but also those from ships and fishing boats, with the latter utilizing brightly colored lights to attract marine life such as fish, squid, and plankton.
The photograph, designated as ISS056-E-6994, was taken on June 9, 2018, using a Nikon D5 camera with a 28-millimeter lens. Provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at the Johnson Space Center, the image underwent cropping and enhancement for improved contrast while eliminating lens artifacts. The ISS Program supports initiatives that enable astronauts to capture valuable Earth photographs for both scientific research and public interest, making these images accessible online.
This striking representation not only conveys the rich geographical and cultural tapestry of Indonesia but also serves as an important reminder of the natural threats faced by its populous regions, underscoring the dynamic interplay between human settlement and geological activity. Additional astronaut-captured images are available through the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth, offering further insights into our planet’s landscapes from a unique perspective.
Source link
