The article discusses a haunting photograph taken by NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson from the International Space Station on September 11, 2001. The image shows smoke billowing from Manhattan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Quick Facts
- Location: New York City, NY
- Image Description: Massive plume of smoke after the attacks.
- Photographer: NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson aboard the ISS.
- Date Taken: September 11, 2001.
Context
On that fateful day, the terrorist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon. A fourth plane was brought down by passengers in Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities.
Culbertson was the only American not on Earth during the attacks and captured the smoke while at an altitude of 250 miles. He noted an “odd bloom” in the smoke indicating the moment of collapse of the second tower.
Reflections
In the days following, Culbertson expressed the emotional contrast of being in space, a place meant for improving life on Earth, while witnessing destruction from afar. He also mentioned how the absence of airplane contrails marked a surreal silence in the airspace due to grounded flights, with the sole exception of Air Force One carrying President Bush.
Additional satellite imagery showed smoke continued to rise from Ground Zero for at least 24 hours after the attacks.
