Before the attack
The satellite provides a clear view
Image: spaceimaging.com
By BBC News Online science editor Dr
David Whitehouse
The gaping hole left by the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center buildings and the damage to the Pentagon has been seen from space.
Before
After
A dramatic series of before and after images returned from the Ikonos satellite, in orbit 680 kilometres (423 miles) high, has provided a new perspective on the catastrophe.
The 'before' image was taken on 30 June 2000. The image, taken from the south, prominently features the 110-story World Trade Center twin towers.
The dramatic picture taken at 11.43 am EDT on 12 September, a day after their destruction, shows just how complete was the destruction of the two towers. Both images have a resolution of just one metre (3.2 ft).
The after image shows an area of white and grey coloured dust and smoke at the location where the 411 m (1350 ft) towers stood.
Ikonos has also revealed the devastation inflicted on the Pentagon.
The 'before' image was taken on 28 Dec 2000. Cars are clearly visible as is much detail in the buildings interior.
The 'after' image was taken at 11.46 am EDT on 12 September. It clearly shows the extensive damage to the western side and interior rings of the building.
The smoke plume from
the World Trade
Towers has also been
seen by astronauts on
board the International Space Station, who
could track it for hundreds of kilometres.
-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001