New Zealand | International Space Station

U.S. Astronaut Ricky Arnold: "The early morning sun illuminates Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand."

Cook Strait (Māori: Te Moana-o-Raukawa) lies between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It connects the Tasman Sea on the northwest with the South Pacific Ocean on the southeast, and runs next to the capital city, Wellington. It is 22 kilometers (14 mi) wide at its narrowest point, and is considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.

The strait is named after James Cook, the first European commander to sail through it, in 1770. In Māori it has the name Raukawa or Te Moana-o-Raukawa. Raukawa may mean "bitter leaves".
(Source: Wikipedia)

Credit: NASA Astronaut Ricky Arnold/JSC
Release Date: September 27, 2018


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