Here’s a new Where In The Universe Challenge, and this one was submitted by UT reader David Schumaker! Name where in the Universe this image depicts and give yourself extra points if you can name the telescope or spacecraft responsible for the image. Post your guesses in the comments section, and check back on later at this same post to find the answer. To make this challenge fun for everyone, please don’t include links or extensive explanations with your answer. Good luck!
UPDATE: The answer has now been posted below.
This image is of Earth, an impact crater in the Sahara Desert of northern Chad, from an asteroid or comet several that is hundred million years old. It was taken by astronauts from Expedition 12 on the International Space Station. The concentric ring structure is the Aorounga impact crater, with a diameter of about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles). The original crater was buried by sediments, which were then partially eroded to reveal the current ring-like appearance. The area shown is centered at approximately 19.1 degrees north latitude and 19.3 degrees east longitude.
Thanks again to David Schumaker for sending in this image, which he found here.
