Can you see the great barrier reef from space

It may be difficult to see the myriad details in the browse image, but if you retrieve the higher resolution version, a zoomed display reveals the spectacular structure of the many reefs. For the first time, scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA) have documented patches of the reef. It is reported to be the only living thing visible from space with the unaided eye. It can be seen from the International Space Station.

It runs up the east coast of Australia.

It is so large, it can be seen from space. The reef, at 4miles (3kilometers) long, is actually not one single reef but about 0individual reefs. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It adds with Kakadu at the west another value of natural richness in Australia.

It is the world’s biggest single structure made of living organisms. Astronaut Kjell Lindgren, part of the team spending a year in the International Space Station (ISS), has tweeted some photos of the reef from his point of view. Reefs are easy to spot from space because the iridescent blues of shallow lagoons contrast sharply with the dark blues of deep water.

It extends across an area of approximately 130square miles and comprises more than 9separate reefs. Other resources have similar statements but none ever cite any specific astronauts seeing the reef. Great Barrier Reef is so large that you can see it from the Moon.

It may be that none of the Apollo astronauts reported seeing the reef , but rather given its known size, that it can be calculated that it should be visible from the Moon. It is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space. It extends for more than 2miles (0km) in a roughly northwest-southeast direction and has an area of some 130square miles (350square km). Why not see it from above in a seaplane or submerge yourself in a semi-sub boat? Three main cities—Cairns, Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach—serve as the major tourist gateways to experience this region.

It truly is a sight to see. The Reef itself is extremely large, stretching over 3kilometres and occupying an area over 340square kilometres. It is the largest living thing on earth, so enormous it is visible from outer space. But this incredible reef is in danger, with half the coral dying in the past two years. This paradise of biodiversity is in peril, but what is affecting the reef such an extreme amount?

Image above: While the Great Wall of China is very difficult to see or photograph from low Earth orbit, sections of the wall can be seen readily in radar imagery. This image of sections of the wall in a desert about 4miles west of Beijing was made by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. For this reason, tourists and divers from all corners of the world move heaven and Earth for a chance to witness the incredible underwater world.

GeekWire contributing editor Alan Boyle is an award-winning science writer and veteran space reporter. Crazily enough, you can even see it from space ! As a non-swimmer, you can see the reef up close during a helmet “dive”. Breathing fresh air delivered from the surface into your helmet, you will walk underwater on a reef platform – you can even wear your glasses if you wish! Oceanwalker is suitable for anyone aged over years and pass the on-board medical questionnaire.

After a short briefing, you will be walking amongst the reef fish and corals. Not only can guests enjoy the reef itself but they can be exposed to all the wondrous sea creatures among its ecosystem as well. It’s hardly surprising this natural wonder is one of the most visited marine sites on the planet. Made up of over 9islands stretching over 6miles along the coast of Queenslan the reef is approximately the same area size as Japan – and visible from outer space!

This means no two spots of the reef are the same – the marine and reef life in the northern part of the reef is different to that in the south. No action is too small to become a good friend to. Find what to do today, this weeken or in September.

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