EPOD 20th - The Pyramids from Space

September 15, 2020

7Wonders

We’re celebrating 20 years of Earth Science Picture of the Day during the month of September! Today’s photo features a popular EPOD from the past. Thanks to all of our followers (on the blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for supporting us. Thanks also to all of you who’ve submitted your photos. We’re most appreciative. This EPOD was originally published October 22, 2001.

Provided by: Earth Observatory, NASA GSFC
Summary author: Jim Foster

The Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu), one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, was captured last August by astronauts onboard Space Station Alpha. King Tut would be impressed. This photo has a resolution of approximately 7 meters - objects 7 meters or about 22 feet across can be detected. Shadows cast by the Sun allow Khufu and two other large pyramids, Khafre and Menkaure, to be fairly easily recognized on this photo (center of image and inset at left). Because the Sphinx isn't tall enough to cast a deep shadow, it can't be readily distinguished - it's slightly above and to the right of Khufu.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest, yet the only surviving wonder of the Seven Ancient Wonders. The pyramids are in Giza, a necropolis of ancient Memphis, and today part of Greater Cairo, Egypt.

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