The Luck of the Irish...in Space?

{image CREDIT: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC via NASA}

Many people celebrate the traditionally Irish holiday of St. Patrick's day by wearing green and attending festivals or other fun events. To honor old St. Pat here on the Space Log, we're showing you an image of his homeland, Ireland, that was taken from space! It isn't hard to see why Ireland is nicknamed "the Emerald Isle" from its vast green landscape. This image was taken in 2003 by NASA's Aqua Satellite.

Can you see the blue-green water on the right side of the island? Those are ribbons of phytoplankton that are found in the Celtic Sea. Ireland is usually obscured from space by the many clouds which fill the sky above it, but this image was taken in a moment when the clouds parted and gave way to a perfect view.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Janet's Planet! Wishing you all the luck of the Irish today!