SPACE PHOTOS

Estimate Request for the image V01441

To make a request for several images, go back to the Picture Library and add them to the Light Box.



Ref : V01441

Theme :  Countries-Continents (seen from Space)  (255 images)

Title : Monitoring the Spread of West Nile Virus with Satellite Data

Caption :

A NASA-funded study uses temperature and vegetation data from satellites to help track and predict where West Nile virus is spreading in North America. Scientists and public health officials hope one day to use near real-time maps to focus resources and stave off the disease more efficiently. This image is a composite of land surface temperatures (LST) recorded between 1997 and 2000 and was used to help monitor and predict the spread of West Nile virus in the United States. In the color figure above, the mean land surface temperatures are in red; annual amplitudeor the difference between low and high annual temperaturesis in blue; and annual phaseor the timing of annual temperature peaksappears in green. Brighter colors mean higher values. The major north-south temperature difference (dull red in the upper part of the image to bright red in the lower part) is considerably affected by the Rockies in the west and to a much lesser extent by the Appalachians in the east. The brighter blue in the upper part of the image indicates the big difference between highest and lowest temperatures during the course of a year at higher latitudes. There is less variation in the timing of the annual peak of land surface temperatures, which occurs earlier in the south than in the north. Black dots superimposed on this image are the locations (county geo-centers) where birds infected with West Nile virus were reported between January and October 2001. Scientists working with the International Research Partnership for Infectious Diseases (INTREPID) program based at NASA are using such imagery to define and predict the conditions where mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus in the U.S. The conclusion reached about the importance of any single variable depends both upon its value and context. A temperature of 30° Celsius (86° Fahrenheit) might be fatal for a mosquito at low humidity but survivable at higher humidities. The work done here on West Nile virus and other diseases shows very clearly that it is a unique combination of temperature, humidity, and vegetation variables that tends to determine mosquito and disease presence and abundance.



to specify how you want to use these images. You can also send your request by E-mail
To make a request for several images, go back to the Picture Library and add them to the Light Box.

Image(s) use :
 
 
Reproduction format of the image in the final document :
 
 
Print run of the document on which the image is reproduced :
 
 
Number of consecutive uses :
  
 
If image is reproduced in the Press, please specify number of titles :
 
 
If image is reproduced as a poster
please specify size of the poster :
 
 
Give all useful information or specify the use of the image(s) in this box :