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T287
Atlas p. 2

Northeastern U.S. Megapolis
Land use, urban development

Significance: The highest population concentration in North America lies along the central eastern seaboard between the cities of Washington, D.C. and Boston, and including the Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island. With the exception of D.C., all of the cities are long-standing industrial, commercial, and transportation centers. Urban growth and the by-products of these large urban centers will be obvious from space: you will be able to see growing suburbs, transportation routes, ship traffic, and, frequently, a large pall of air pollution which wafts to the east over the Atlantic and south over the Appalachians. Interestingly, both heavily forested parklands and rural agricultural lands are proximal to all of these large cities. Increasing populations next to sensitive estuaries like the Chesapeake are creating significant pressures on the local ecosystems. Because these cities bracket different climate zones, the deciduous trees in the north (Boston to New York) will be devoid of leaves, and there may be early snowfall. In early November, there may still be foliage around the Washington DC area and further south. 

Observation Techniques: Near-nadir views with the 250-mm lens will provide the detail to see and monitor urban changes. Oblique views with the 100-mm are best for smog palls. Sunglint photography will highlight coastal traffic and the many rivers and estuaries of the region. CIR use during high-sun overpasses provides great detail in these urban regions.

Center point: 39.5° N,75.5° W

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