Earth observations taken from Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-93 mission

STS093-709-046 (23-27 July 1999) --- The STS-93 astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia took this picture featuring the Northern Territory of Australia. Melville Island (bottom) and Bathurst Island are across Clarence Strait just north of the city of Darwin. According to scientists studying the STS-93 photo collection, seasonal fires are common in the region. Winter is the season for agricultural land clearing of the native monsoon forests. Smoke from the fires on the islands is being blown northwest by the prevailing winter winds. Data back information on the 70mm film that recorded this image lists time and date as 05:38:45 GMT, July 25, 1999. When the photo was taken, the shuttle was flying over a point located at 18.4 degrees south latitude and 118.7 east longitude.