Manicouagan Impact Crater from Space (Quebec, Astronomy Picture of the Day)

[sl8]

Last edited Mon May 27, 2024, 07:19 AM - Edit history (1)

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240525.html

(higher resolution picture, more links at source link)

Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2024 May 25

Manicouagan Impact Crater from Space
Image Credit: NASA, International Space Station Expedition 59

Explanation: Orbiting 400 kilometers above Quebec, Canada, planet Earth, the International Space Station Expedition 59 crew captured this snapshot of the broad St. Lawrence River and curiously circular Lake Manicouagan on April 11. Right of center, the ring-shaped lake is a modern reservoir within the eroded remnant of an ancient 100 kilometer diameter impact crater. The ancient crater is very conspicuous from orbit, a visible reminder that Earth is vulnerable to rocks from space. Over 200 million years old, the Manicouagan crater was likely caused by the impact of a rocky body about 5 kilometers in diameter. Currently, there is no known asteroid with a significant probability of impacting Earth in the next century. Each month, NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office releases an update featuring the most recent figures on near-Earth object close approaches, and other facts about comets and asteroids that could pose a potential impact hazard with Earth.

Tomorrow's picture: explosion on the Sun

=========

Wikipedia article about the Manicouagan Reservoir:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicouagan_Reservoir

[VGNonly]

1. Two crescent shaped lakes

were flooded to form the present day circular reservoir.

[sl8]

2. Thank you.

Added a link to the Wikipedia article regarding the reservoir.

[VGNonly]

3. A nice photo of the St. Lawrence.

On the left is the Appalachian area, the right the Canadian Shield.