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151 comments on DrumBeat: July 23, 2006

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Richrd on July 23, 2006 - 10:59am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
It looks like the trail of an ice breaker. Could this be? I understand there is a Russian icebreaker/tourist boat to the north pole
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MetaMeme on July 23, 2006 - 12:10pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Such a long trail in one day from one ship?

Surely it must be an artefact - neither nature nor a ship can do that in just 24 hours can it?

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Twilight on July 23, 2006 - 12:16pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Be realistic - an icebreaker would be maybe one pixel on that map, if that.

I would love to have some more insight on this from anyone knowledgable - it sure as hell looks frightening.

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Darwinian on July 23, 2006 - 12:43pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
It looks like the trail of an ice breaker. Could this be?

No, this could not be. The trail of an icebreaker would not be visible from outer space. The thin line running toward the North Pole must be at least several miles wide, many times wider than the trail of icebreaker.

Note: The astronauts regard it as a joke that the Great Wall of China is the only man made structure that can be seen from outer space. It cannot be seen from outer space. In fact the widest freeways, many times wider than the Great Wall cannot be seen from outer space.

What can be seen with a telescopic camera is of course a different matter. But even their ability is often greatly exaggerated by people who do not know the facts. Atmospheric diffusion and distortion makes it impossible to see anything really small. They can make out a truck but they cannot read anything written on the truck.

Also Note: This photograph is of the whole earth and is not magnified.

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slx on July 23, 2006 - 12:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
The only man-made phenomenon that can be discerned from space is Belgium, I thought - because of its excessive road network, its border is discernible at night. That is probably why it is considered a grave insult in the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
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Xma on July 23, 2006 - 3:13pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I think the main feature that could make Belgium stand out is the fact that our freeways are lit at night, a fact not much known outside Europe I guess.
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Alfred on July 23, 2006 - 3:49pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Actually, the reason Belgium is frequently mentioned in this context is because their main highways are lit at night - unlike for France, Germany and the Netherlands. This does not stop them from having a far worse road accident record than their neighbours.
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Darwinian on July 23, 2006 - 4:02pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Belgium? Perhaps, I am not sure. But there is definitely one man made disaster that can be seen from space. I saw it several years ago in National Geographic. It is the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The border can clearly bee seen by the difference in the color of the landscape. The Guatemala side is still green but Mexico, right up to the Guatemalan border is a dull brown. It is a result of clear cutting of the forest in that area.
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