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LiveScience
LiveScience
Harry Baker

Rare 'sunglint' transforms Alabama River into a giant 'golden dragon' — Earth from space

An astronaut photo of a golden river in the shape of a Chinese dragon.
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Where is it? Boykin, Alabama [32.10219570, -87.28911406]

What's in the photo? A "sunglint" making the Alabama River look like a golden Chinese dragon

Who took the photo? An unnamed astronaut on board the International Space Station (ISS)

When was it taken? June 26, 2023

This incredible astronaut photo captured a unique glimpse of Alabama's eponymous river cosplaying as a golden Chinese dragon. The metallic hue of the serpentine waterway is the result of a rare optical phenomenon that is only visible from space.

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