Images
July 7, 2010 - Oil Slick in the Gulf of Mexico
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Oil from the Deepwater Horizon well remained visible on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico on June 25, 2010. The MODIS on NASA’s Terra captured this natural-color image the same day. The oil appears as interlocking curved tendrils varying in color from white to dark gray.
When the Sun is at the right angle, sunglint makes the oil visible. Oil smoothes the surface of the water, making it a better mirror of sunlight. Close to the precise location of the Sun’s reflection, oil is brighter than surrounding ocean water, and farther away from the Sun’s reflection, oil may look darker than oil-free water. The relative brightness of any spot, however, is not a perfect indicator of the oil slick’s location or amount. Not all oil appears brighter or darker than nearby water, and not all relatively bright or dark areas are necessarily oil-slicked.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 06/25/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Oil from the Deepwater Horizon well remained visible on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico on June 25, 2010. The MODIS on NASA’s Terra captured this natural-color image the same day. The oil appears as interlocking curved tendrils varying in color from white to dark gray.
When the Sun is at the right angle, sunglint makes the oil visible. Oil smoothes the surface of the water, making it a better mirror of sunlight. Close to the precise location of the Sun’s reflection, oil is brighter than surrounding ocean water, and farther away from the Sun’s reflection, oil may look darker than oil-free water. The relative brightness of any spot, however, is not a perfect indicator of the oil slick’s location or amount. Not all oil appears brighter or darker than nearby water, and not all relatively bright or dark areas are necessarily oil-slicked.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 06/25/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
