Smoke from Fires in Eastern Russia

Dust and Haze

Fires In Alaska and Northern Canada

Fires

Smoke from Alaska Fires

Dust and Haze

Smoke from Alaska Fires

Dust and Haze

Smoke from Alaska Fires

Dust and Haze

Fires In Alaska and Northern Canada

Fires

Fires In Alaska and Northern Canada

Fires

Fires and Heavy Smoke in Alaska

Fires

Smoke from Alaska Fires

Dust and Haze

Forest Fire Smoke Surrounding Mt. McKinley

This view of Mt McKinley (Denali)—the highest point in North America (6,194 meters; 20,230 feet)—looks as if it were taken from an aircraft. In fact, an astronaut onboard the International Space Station took advantage of cloud-free skies and a powerful 800-millimeter lens to photograph this peak while the spacecraft was over the Gulf of Alaska, 800 miles to the south of the mountain. The powerful lenses are difficult to use, requiring motion compensation by the astronaut, so these kinds of detailed images of horizon detail are seldom taken. The rising sun casts long shadows across the Kahiltna Glacier that angles down from Denali (left).

Image of the Day Land Snow and Ice