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Panama Canal
SAR Orbit number: 19504
14 April 2005

This ERS-2 PRI radar multicolour composite image was acquired over the Panama Canal, located in Central America, the canal across the strait of Panama (centre image).

Created by artificially joining Gatum and Alajuela lakes (top left), the Panama canal connects the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) with the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean), eliminating the need for shipping to travel around South America.

Located at the end of the canal, Panama City is visible as a large bright area along the Gulf. The Chagres River (top right image) supplies the water needed to operate the locks of the Panama Canal.

Technical Information:

• Instrument: ERS Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR)
• Dates of Acquisition: Red: 16 March 2004, Green: 12 Jan 1999, Blue: 14 Oct 1997
• Instrument features: 25 meter resolution
• Orbit number: 19504
• Orbit Direction: Descending
• Orbit numbers: 10686, 19504, 12991
• Frames: 3429

Coordinates:

NE Lat/Long: N 09.24 / W 80.05
NW Lat/Long: N 09.24 / W 79.25
SW Lat/Long: N 08.45 / W 79.25
SE Lat/Long: N 08.45 / W 80.05