Images related to Following the Frankincense Trail

Salalah, Sultanate of Oman
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Salalah, Sultanate of Oman

The city of Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar region of Oman and is known as the “perfume capital of Arabia.” The city is a popular destination for tourism due to the natural attractions of the al Qar mountains (Jabal al Qar, in Arabic) and abundant stands of frankincense trees lining mountain stream courses. These can be seen in this astronaut photograph as green regions in the Jabal al Qar north of the city (located in the center of the image). The beaches and coastline are also major attractions for scuba diving and bird watching.

Published Jan 17, 2005

Image of the Day Land

New York City
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New York City

Published Sep 12, 2002

Unique Imagery

Secrets Beneath the Sand
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Secrets Beneath the Sand

Instruments such as imaging radar helped usher in a new era in archaeology.

Published Aug 29, 2017

Image of the Day Land Human Presence Remote Sensing

Rain Soaks the Empty Quarter
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Rain Soaks the Empty Quarter

Rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mekunu dropped enough rain over the Arabian Peninsula to form lakes between the sand dunes in the Rub’ al-Khali.

Published Jun 15, 2018

Image of the Day Heat Land Water Unique Imagery Remote Sensing

Northern Oman
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Northern Oman

Much of Oman’s landscape is low-lying, hot, and dry. Northern Oman, however, contains rugged mountains, some of the highest elevations in eastern Arabia, and varied vegetation.

Published Nov 26, 2008

Image of the Day Land Life

Spring Greening in the Taklamakan Desert
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Spring Greening in the Taklamakan Desert

Even in China’s largest, driest, and hottest desert, vegetation sprouts in the spring.

Published May 5, 2020

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New Ground for an Ancient City
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New Ground for an Ancient City

The fast-growing city of Cairo has spilled onto desert plains well beyond the lush floodplain of the Nile River.

Published Apr 2, 2020

Image of the Day Land

Musandam Peninsula, Oman
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Musandam Peninsula, Oman

The rocky, fjord-like fingers of the Musandam Peninsula jut into the narrow Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in this detailed image from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer on NASA's Terra satellite.

Published Apr 15, 2009

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Thanksgiving and New York City
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Thanksgiving and New York City

The most populous city in the United States has several connections to this national holiday.

Published Nov 28, 2013

Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery Human Presence

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Planned at the end of the sixteenth century and built during the seventeenth, Amsterdam has inspired generations of city planners.

Published Jul 21, 2013

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Tombouctou, Mali
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Tombouctou, Mali

Acquired March 6, 2001, this false-color image shows Tombouctou (Timbuktu) and the surrounding region. Vegetation is red, water is blue, human-built structures are brown-gray, and bare ground ranges in color from off-white to tan.

Published Oct 11, 2009

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Dust Storm in the Taklimakan Desert
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Dust Storm in the Taklimakan Desert

Acquired March 2, 2011, this natural-color image shows dust hovering over the Taklimakan Desert.

Published Mar 2, 2011

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze

Dust Storm in the Taklimakan Desert
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Dust Storm in the Taklimakan Desert

Acquired March 22, 2012, this natural-color image shows a dust storm in China’s Taklimakan Desert.

Published Mar 27, 2012

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze