View of a South Pacific storm photographed from Skylab space station

SL4-136-3388 (2 Dec. 1973) --- This excellent view of a South Pacific storm was photographed from the Skylab space station in Earth orbit by one of the Skylab 4 crewmen. The camera used was a hand-held 70mm Hasselblad, with SO-368 medium-speed Ektachrome film. This photograph of a low pressure area and associated frontal activity was taken for studying the development of such storm systems. The low sun angle enhances the relief, giving much of the picture a three-dimensional appearance. The good definition of the clouds with the cumulonimbus (thunderstorm clouds) penetrating the cirrus cloud layer makes this an interesting photograph to study. This storm, located east of New Zealand at 170 degrees west longitude and 50 degrees south latitude, is not and never became a typhoon. However, in some ways it may look similar. Photo credit: NASA