(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image.">

Cyclone Ilsa

Cyclone Ilsa

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa was heading west-southwest in the Indian Ocean on March 20, 2009, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image. Ilsa reached Category 3 strength on March 19, but as of March 20, has weakened to Category 2.

The high-resolution image provided above is at MODIS’ full spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at additional resolutions.

NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, Goddard Space Flight Center. Caption by Rebecca Lindsey.