Sarychev Peak Eruption, Kuril Islands

 

download large image (286 KB, JPEG) acquired June 12, 2009

download animation (6 MB, QuickTime)

NASA has published a photo taken by International Space Station astronauts of the Sarychev Peak (Japan) eruption June 12.

"A fortuitous orbit of the International Space Station allowed the astronauts this striking view of Sarychev Volcano (Kuril Islands, northeast of Japan) in an early stage of eruption on June 12, 2009. Sarychev Peak is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kuril Island chain, and it is located on the northwestern end of Matua Island. Prior to June 12, the last explosive eruption occurred in 1989, with eruptions in 1986, 1976, 1954, and 1946 also producing lava flows. Ash from the multi-day eruption has been detected 2,407 kilometers east-southeast and 926 kilometers west-northwest of the volcano, and commercial airline flights are being diverted away from the region to minimize the danger of engine failures from ash intake."

Find out more about the erruption, and the photograph at this link.

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"There's no shower on the ISS. Do you know how astronauts manage to keep themselves clean? There's no up or down in space. How do astronauts adapt to this environment?

Instead of searching the Internet - why not directly ask those who know best? ESA astronaut Frank De Winne is keen to personally answer your questions via ESA’s YouTube channel. " (link)

During his stay on the Station, De Winne's activities will focus on scientific research, technology and education.

Record and upload your questions to ESA’s YouTube channel as a 'Video Response' to
De Winne's video message.
ESA’s YouTube channel is accessible on www.youtube.com/esa.




text from ESA News; video at YouTube

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