QUICK FACTS
Where is it? Guérou, Mauritania [16.930575400, -11.759622605]
What's in the photo? Three black mesas surrounded by unusual sand dunes in the Sahara Desert
Who took the photo? An unnamed astronaut onboard the International Space Station (ISS)
When was it taken? May 3, 2023
This intriguing astronaut photo shows a trio of ancient "black mesas", which sit side-by-side in the Sahara desert. The dark structures have enabled a series of rare sand dunes to form around them while also creating a surprising "dune-free zone."
