The 'Eye of Quebec' from Orbit: Manicouagan Crater and the Soyuz MS-27 from the ISS
A recent breathtaking image captured from the International Space Station (ISS) offers a unique perspective on Earth's geological history and our ongoing presence in space. The photograph features the immense Manicouagan crater in Quebec, Canada, a colossal testament to a cosmic impact millions of years ago, juxtaposed with the sleek form of the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft.
Often referred to as the "Eye of Quebec" due to its distinctive circular shape, the Manicouagan crater is a marvel of geological scale. This ancient impact structure, estimated to be 214 million years old, was formed by an asteroid approximately 5 kilometers wide traveling at a staggering 17 kilometers per second. The impact carved out a crater that spans an impressive 100 kilometers in diameter, making it the fifth most powerful impact event in known geological history.
At the heart of the crater lies René-Levasseur Island, a remarkable landmass that is the second largest island within a lake globally. The vast Lac Manicouagan, which encircles the island, was formed by the construction of the Daniel-Johnson Dam, renowned as the world's largest multiple-arch dam.
This image not only highlights the dramatic geological scars left by ancient cosmic events but also serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's current endeavors in space, with the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft a symbol of our continued exploration and presence beyond Earth. For those who frequently traverse the skies between continents, spotting this iconic formation from the air is a cherished, though often elusive, experience due to prevailing cloud cover.
