The Goldstrike in northeast Nevada is the largest gold mine in North America. The mine complex, (including the Betze-Post-Screamer open-pit, and Meikle and Rodeo underground mines) is owned and operated by the world's largest gold mining company, Barrick Gold. Gold occurs as microscopically fine grains, with an average grade of 0.1 ounces per ton of ore. Estimates of reserves are as high as 35 million ounces of gold. The image was acquired September 25, 2010, covers an area of 15 by 15 km, and is located at 41 degrees north, 116.4 degrees west.
With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet. ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched Dec. 18, 1999, on Terra. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and data products.
The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change. Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats; monitoring potentially active volcanoes; identifying crop stress; determining cloud morphology and physical properties; wetlands evaluation; thermal pollution monitoring; coral reef degradation; surface temperature mapping of soils and geology; and measuring surface heat balance.
The U.S. science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C.
More information about ASTER is available at http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/.
As an expert in remote sensing and Earth observation technologies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the concepts mentioned in the article about the Goldstrike mine in northeast Nevada and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery.
First and foremost, let me emphasize the significance of ASTER in Earth observation. ASTER, launched on December 18, 1999, aboard NASA's Terra satellite, is a crucial instrument for mapping and monitoring Earth's surface. With 14 spectral bands covering the visible to thermal infrared wavelength region, ASTER provides a high spatial resolution ranging from 15 to 90 meters, enabling detailed and comprehensive observation of the Earth's surface.
The article mentions the Goldstrike mine complex, which includes the Betze-Post-Screamer open-pit, and Meikle and Rodeo underground mines. The mine is located in northeast Nevada and is owned and operated by Barrick Gold, the world's largest gold mining company. My expertise allows me to explain that the mining process involves extracting gold from ore, and the average grade of gold at Goldstrike is reported to be 0.1 ounces per ton of ore.
The estimates of gold reserves at the Goldstrike mine are as high as 35 million ounces. Such estimations are typically based on geological surveys, core drilling, and other exploration techniques. In the context of remote sensing, ASTER plays a vital role in monitoring and managing such mining activities by providing detailed images that can be used to assess the extent of mining operations, environmental impact, and changes in land use over time.
The ASTER image mentioned in the article was acquired on September 25, 2010, covering an area of 15 by 15 km, and located at 41 degrees north, 116.4 degrees west. This information aligns with the satellite's capability to capture high-resolution images for monitoring specific locations on Earth's surface.
The article also touches upon the broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER, explaining that it provides critical information for various scientific disciplines. This includes monitoring glacial changes, volcanic activity, crop stress, cloud properties, wetlands, thermal pollution, coral reef degradation, surface temperature mapping of soils and geology, and measuring surface heat balance.
To reinforce my expertise, I can affirm that the joint U.S./Japan science team, responsible for the validation and calibration of ASTER data products, is a collaborative effort involving NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. This team ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information derived from ASTER imagery.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in remote sensing and Earth observation allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts mentioned in the article, bridging the gap between the intricate details of the Goldstrike mine and the advanced capabilities of the ASTER satellite. For those seeking more information about ASTER, the provided link () is a valuable resource for delving deeper into the capabilities and applications of this remarkable Earth-observing instrument.
