File:New York STS058-081-038.jpg

English: Earth.Jonhson Space Center.National Aeronautic and Space Administration.government/Space Shuttle Earth Observations Photography/Earth From Space/low resolution.

New York from space,
View from Space Shuttle Columbia, mission STS-58, fall 1993.
New York City and Lower Hudson River Valley, New York, U.S.A. October 1993

New York City

NY the most populous city in the United States, is the focal point of this low-oblique, northwest-looking photograph. The entire waterfront of the lower Hudson River is lined with wharves, piers, and docks. This area is one of the major trade centers of the nation and, in particular, the major one serving the northeastern region of the United States. The body of water south of the mouth of the Hudson River is Lower New York Bay, and the slightly wider bay north of the mouth is Upper New York Bay. The Lower Bay is flanked by two peninsulas: Sandy Hook juts out from the New Jersey side, and Rockaway Point extends into the bay as an appendage of Long Island. The large amphitheater-shaped bay east of Rockaway Point is Jamaica Bay. John F. Kennedy International Airport is located on the northeast side of Jamaica Bay. The East River separates Long Island from Manhattan Island, one of five boroughs of New York City. The rectangular feature in the middle of Manhattan Island is Central Park. Toward the northwest third of this picture, a swath of hilly terrain mixed with numerous lakes trends southwest-northeast. This terrain is the result of the glacial scouring during the last ice age. It is evident by the red and brown coloring of the forest foliage that this photograph was taken in the fall.

New York City Area

NYC area situated at the mouth of the Hudson River, the New York City Metropolitan area can be seen in this north-looking view. The New York Metropolitan area is the largest in the world. The region has the United States largest seaport area with extensive harbor facilities that total 755 miles (1217 km) of developed frontage. New York city is the world’s foremost financial center and is headquarters to many major corporations. The city is also a mass communications center. The Hudson River can be seen entering the scene at the upper left (north) flowing south and emptying into Upper New York Bay near the center of the image. The Appalachian Mountains of northwestern New Jersey are visible covering the upper left and upper center of the image. At the far right of the picture, located on the L.I. Sound is Stamford, Connecticut. You can actually see to Manhattan from here. The Atlantic Ocean covers the bottom center and bottom right of the image. From near the center of the image extending to the right center (east) of the image are Long Island and Long Island sound.

Content Provider

Kamlesh P. Lulla Ph.D. Chief, Earth Sciences Branch
Responsible NASA Official: Ed Wilson
Curator: Jaime Powell

Last Update: 06/17/2002