Earth from Space - Image Description

STS078-747-080 Ataturk Reservoir, Turkey June 1996
Presently, the largest man-made lake in Turkey, the Ataturk Reservoir and Dam can be seen in this northeast-looking view. The reservoir, located in south central Turkey on the Euphrates River, was completed in the early 1990's. This dam and other dams further to the north in Turkey on the Euphrates River are causing political and water flow problems between Turkey and its neighbors to the south (Syria and Iraq). Discussions between the three countries to reach an agreeable solution to the problem are ongoing. This particular image was acquired with the waters of the reservoir in sun glint or sun glitter. The sun glint depicts the sun's reflection from the surface of the water. Slicks seen in the water reflect brightly and indicate a smooth water surface. Rough waters give off a diffuse, dull reflection (also reference STS078-747-081). Numerous angular field patterns are visible on the image surrounding the reservoir. The highly reflective surface area immediately to the west of the dam (left center of the image) appears to be an area where rock was extracted for the construction of the dam.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.