NASA has once again captivated space enthusiasts with a breathtaking image of South Africa‘s Orange River, taken from 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. The image, shared in a recent Instagram post, showcases the river as it snakes through the rugged landscape, surrounded by the vibrant orange-red dunes of the southern Kalahari Desert.
In the post, NASA describes the scene: “Orange you glad you didn’t keep scrolling? The blue streak that snakes through this photo…is known as the Orange River—the largest river in South Africa.” The striking image also highlights ancient, dark-toned rocks that form sinuous hills poking through the desert sands, adding to the landscape’s allure.
The image has garnered widespread attention on social media, collecting over 1.9 million views on Instagram. Users marveled at the scene, with one commenting, “Well that’s an a-peeling sight,” and another likening it to an album cover for The Bleeding by Cannibal Corpse. The post is a testament to NASA’s ability to blend scientific discovery with visual artistry, offering the public a glimpse of Earth’s natural beauty from space.
The Orange River, which cuts through southwestern Africa, eventually empties into the South Atlantic Ocean. It serves as both a political and geographical boundary, separating Namibia from South Africa, and the Namib Desert’s massive dunes from the rugged moonscape of northwestern Namaqualand. NASA’s image not only highlights the river’s significance but also the stark and stunning beauty of the surrounding desert landscape.
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