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LiveScience
LiveScience
Harry Baker

Gemstone-filled river and striped mountain ridge form massive 'Y' in China's revitalized desert — Earth from space

China Earth the Taklamakan Desert
A satellite photo of a massive Y-shape int he desert made of a river and mountain ridge.
QUICK FACTS

Where is it? Taklamakan Desert, China [38.459991514, 80.87050739]

What's in the photo? A river and a mountain range forming a giant Y shape

Which satellite took the photo? Landsat 9

When was it taken? Sept. 11, 2025

This striking satellite snap shows a massive letter Y lurking in the heart of a recently transformed Chinese desert. The unusual shape is made up of a rocky ridge and a winding, gemstone-filled river and is also home to an important eighth-century fort.

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