Preview the CD
Watch the Shuttle Launch, View Radar Images and Movies

Preview some of the exciting discoveries on this CD from the 1994 radar imaging missions of the Space Shuttle, Endeavour. (To view the movies, you may need to install the Quicktime movie player first.)

The Mission

Watch the Shuttle Launch, Learn About the Mission
(2.4 MB -- Will take a while to load)

The Earth's Fire - A Hawaiian Volcano

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
(402K JPG)

See Kilauea in 3D
(297 JPG)

How Do Island Volcanoes Form? What Can We Learn From the Radar Images?

Kilauea volcano is on the big island of Hawaii. All of the Hawaiian volcanoes formed when a hotspot from deep within the Earth fed lava through the ocean floor over a period of roughly 100 million years. The island of Hawaii built up slowly over generations as eruptions added to the surface and raised the height of the land above the water.

What can we learn about the island from a radar picture of Kilauea?

The big island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian island chain. Kilauea is one of the active volcanoes on Hawaii; its latest eruption began in 1983 and is still going on, creating new land on Hawaii. In the image that shows the island from above, you will see the city of Hilo near the top of the image. Different types of lava flows are also visible, including old flows from 1881 that are now covered by forest. This is a good example of the unique capability of radar. Scientists can use these images to map and track the pattern of lava flows to aide in determining which of the populated areas may be in danger from future eruptions.

The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

Movie of The Mountain Gorillas
(4.6 MB -- Will take a while to load)

See a Radar Image of the Gorilla's Habitat
(757K JPG)

What Does the Radar Image of Rwanda Tell Us About the Gorilla's Habitat?

This image of Rwanda is a good example of a practical application of radar to understand an environmental issue. The area shown in the image is often obscured by clouds making it difficult to get pictures using optical instruments such as cameras. However, because radar can see through clouds it can provide information to help us understand the areas land use, vegetation types and volcanic activity. The mountain gorilla habitat can be seen clearly. Areas where civilization is encroaching on the gorilla habitat are visible, as are lava flows that have come close to populated areas.

The color variations in the Rwanda image show how radar responds to the surface being imaged. In general, rough spots appear bright, smooth spots appear dark. The black at the top of the image is a lake, the dark grey areas are lava flows. The medium gray areas are vegetation, the purple area shows the gorillas bamboo forest and the rough areas are mountainous terrain.

Researchers from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund are using radar data to learn about the mountain gorillas habitat. Radar has provided them with a new way of seeing the area. If you want to learn more, and if your computer is connected to the Internet, you may access the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund home page on the World Wide Web.

Guided Tour

Converted to the IBM-PC by Al Wong, sirced03@southport.jpl.nasa.gov

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109