Sep21

Satellite beams down new Monza view

Satellite image of Monza

Satellite image of the Monza circuit taken during the 2003 Italian Grand Prix.

Picture: European Space Imaging

New satellite imagery showing Italy's Monza circuit in stunning detail has been released by European Space Imaging.

The breathtaking picture, taken from the high-resolution IKONOS satellite, shows the scene minutes before the start of the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month.

The image was taken from 680 km altitude at 12.24 noon local time, and shows the whole of the famous parkland course, including the full banked oval. Also visible is the short circuit and abandoned Junior circuit.

Also visible are the stands crowded with spectators and the helicopter parking for the VIPs. Team transporters can clearly be identified in the paddock and their appears to be a safety car heading into the first chicane.

With its sub-metre resolution, IKONOS can identify objects which are about 1m in size. Launched in September 1999, IKONOS provides the most accurate commercially-available image date in the world.

To see the full-size image and view others taken by IKONOS, visit the European Space Imaging website.


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