Rare sunlight trick transforms Pacific island into a giant silver

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When sunshine shows off a body of water straight into a video camera in low Earth orbit, it changes the water’s surface area into a silvery mirror. That is precisely what took place in this 2023 astronaut picture of Rennell Island.

(Image credit: NASA/ISS program)

FAST FACTS

Where is it? Rennell Island, Solomon Islands [-11.589514301, 160.17549068]

What’s in the picture? A “sunglint” shining off the ocean and the island’s lake

Who took the image? An unnamed astronaut on board the International Space Station

When was it taken? Jan. 8, 2023

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Harry is a U.K.-based senior personnel author at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to end up being a reporter. He covers a vast array of subjects consisting of area expedition, planetary science, area weather condition, environment modification, animal habits and paleontology. His current deal with the solar optimum won “best space submission” at the 2024 Aerospace Media Awards and was shortlisted in the “top scoop” classification at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence in 2023. He likewise composes Live Science’s weekly Earth from area series.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.