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December 13, 2025 - Morning Light over Alaska
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Dawn was breaking over Bristol Bay on December 10, 2025, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of Alaska.
Snow capped the rugged high reaches of the Ahklun Mountains north of Bristol Bay as well as the relatively smooth terrain of Nunivak Island. To the south, the Alaska Peninsula stretches to the northwest from the mainland and is also dusted with snow. Low cloud (fog) appears to fill Kvichak Bay, the pointed, narrow northeast extension of Bristol Bay. The Kvichak River and Naknek River spill into Kvichak Bay.
The entire image is a study in complex colors, from extremely reflective white of smooth snow and ice, to softly suffused golden cumulus clouds and gray-toned patches of fog. Most striking is the lilac wash over the low coastal valleys, especially along the Kvichak River. These striking tones are reminiscent of a brilliant sunrise—and for good reason. According to Timeanddate.com, sunrise at Bristol Bay on December 10 was at 10:08 a.m. local time. The Terra satellite, with the MODIS instrument aboard, would have passed over the region shortly after sunrise.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/10/2025
Resolutions:
1km (663.3 KB), 500m (1.1 MB), 250m (2.9 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Dawn was breaking over Bristol Bay on December 10, 2025, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of Alaska.
Snow capped the rugged high reaches of the Ahklun Mountains north of Bristol Bay as well as the relatively smooth terrain of Nunivak Island. To the south, the Alaska Peninsula stretches to the northwest from the mainland and is also dusted with snow. Low cloud (fog) appears to fill Kvichak Bay, the pointed, narrow northeast extension of Bristol Bay. The Kvichak River and Naknek River spill into Kvichak Bay.
The entire image is a study in complex colors, from extremely reflective white of smooth snow and ice, to softly suffused golden cumulus clouds and gray-toned patches of fog. Most striking is the lilac wash over the low coastal valleys, especially along the Kvichak River. These striking tones are reminiscent of a brilliant sunrise—and for good reason. According to Timeanddate.com, sunrise at Bristol Bay on December 10 was at 10:08 a.m. local time. The Terra satellite, with the MODIS instrument aboard, would have passed over the region shortly after sunrise.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/10/2025
Resolutions:
1km (663.3 KB), 500m (1.1 MB), 250m (2.9 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
