English Channel

This MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) image shows the English separating the island of Great Britain from northern France, it also connects the North Sea to the Atlantic. The Strait of Dover is the narrowest point, only 34 km, from Dover to Cape Gris-Nez. In the upper part of the image most of England can be observed, from Plymouth to Margate along the coast and from Bristol to London (large bright area). The light green-bluish colors in the sea are the shallow waters of the Goodwin Sands. On the opposite side of the channel are the French regions of Brittany and Lower Normandy. To the left of Lower Normandy are the British islands of Jersey and Guernsey.

Technical Information:

• Satellite: Envisat
• Instrument: MERIS
• Acquisition: 14-Jul-2003
• Orbit nr: 07162
• Center coordinates: lat. 50.43, lon. 1.79