Satellite Views of the Chernobyl Nuclear Complex and Vicinity

Abstract

The reactor No.4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Complex exploded on 26 April 1986. The importance is that the accident brings the radiative materials into the environments. Because of the specialty of nuclear problems to human body, anybody and everbody has the right to know the condition of the nuclear matters. This report may serve such a request a little. NOAA/AVHRR and Salyut/KATK-140 imageries show the land cover condition of the wide area around the nuclear complex. Landsat TM image acquired on 29 April 1986 informs us the thermal condition of the exploded reactor and suggests the heavy deposition area. Landsat TM image on 26 April 1985, before the accident, shows the normally operated condition in the reservoir. Also Spot HRV 10 meter resolution image exhibits the planimetric configuration of the complex.