Cosmic Christmas tree: Astronaut captures Iraq's Lake Dukan
A remarkable photo taken in 2018 by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station shows a man-made reservoir in Iraq that resembles a Christmas-decorated tree. Lake Dukan, as it is called, is located in the Kurdistan region and fascinates with its unusual triangular shape, reminiscent of a holiday tree.
Lake Dukan was created in 1959 after the completion of a large hydroelectric dam near the city of Ranya. It stretches about 10 kilometres in length, and its "top" connects with the Little Zab River. Astronauts from the International Space Station often notice this unusual formation, describing it as a Christmas tree seen from space, reports NASA Earth Observatory. Alex Gerst also noticed it and took a remarkable photo in 2018.
"Christmas tree lake" in photos from space
Live Science points out that in the "cosmic" photograph, one can see additional elements resembling decorations. The green, winding patterns on the lake's surface result from algae blooms caused by warm weather and agricultural runoff. Meanwhile, the black dots, resembling ornaments, are merely an optical illusion caused by light scattering in the camera lens. The "Christmas tree lake" was also captured in another photo taken in 2018 using the Operational Land Imager instrument aboard the Landsat 8 satellite. It shows the reservoir from a broader perspective. You can see the photo below:
The Operational Land Imager (OLI) is the main optical instrument onboard the Landsat 8 satellite, launched into orbit in 2013. Its task is to capture images of the Earth's surface across different ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling the monitoring of environmental changes, land use, and the analysis of natural resources.
The future of the lake is uncertain
Dukan is a popular tourist destination, offering artificial beaches and excellent fishing conditions. However, human activity raises concerns among ecologists. Experts from BirdLife International have determined that the reservoir has become a habitat for about 180 species of birds and fish, as well as rare animals such as the European otter (Lutra lutra) and the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), which are endangered. This ecosystem is under significant pressure from tourism, with more than 70 villages and towns surrounding the lake.
The areas around Lake Dukan also hold historical treasures. Nearby are archaeological sites, including the Palaeolithic Hazar Merd Cave, dating back approximately 50,000 years. The region also offers ancient citadels and a group of sculptures from 4,000 years ago, known as the Gawara Pass Sculptures, reminds Live Science.
