Great Image: The Pyramids from Space

The image to the right is from NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).  It shows the Great Pyramids at Giza on July 25, 2012, as viewed from the International Space Station.  Here is NASA's description of the shot taken by a hand-held Nikon digital camera:

The southeast-facing sides of the pyramids of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure are all brightly illuminated by the Sun, while the northwest facing sides are in shadow. This shadowing also highlights smaller, unfinished pyramids to the south of Menkaure’s pyramid and fields of rectangular, flat-roofed mastabas (tombs) to the east and west of Khufu’s pyramid. While not as grand as the pyramids, mastabas were the burial places of prominent people during the time of the ancient pharaohs. To the southeast of Khufu’s pyramid, the head and rear haunches of the Sphinx are also visible (albeit not clearly).