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Atafu Atoll in the Southern Pacific Ocean is featured in this image photographed from the International Space Station. At roughly eight kilometers wide, Atafu Atoll is the smallest of three atolls comprising the Tokelau Islands group located in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Image courtesy of NASA.

Atafu Atoll in the Southern Pacific Ocean is featured in this image photographed from the International Space Station. At roughly eight kilometers wide, Atafu Atoll is the smallest of three atolls comprising the Tokelau Islands group located in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Image courtesy of NASA.

Nukuoro Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia,as seen from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

Nukuoro Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia,as seen from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

A sun glint in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, as photographed from an Apollo spacecraft. The island is Bougainville of the Solomon Islands group. The horizon of the Earth is in the background. The picture was taken at an altitude of 231 km (143 mi). Photo courtesy of NASA.

A sun glint in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, as photographed from an Apollo spacecraft. The island is Bougainville of the Solomon Islands group. The horizon of the Earth is in the background. The picture was taken at an altitude of 231 km (143 mi). Photo courtesy of NASA.

View of the northern portion of New Caledonia. The world's second largest barrier reef encircles the island. Image courtesy of NASA.

View of the northern portion of New Caledonia. The world's second largest barrier reef encircles the island. Image courtesy of NASA.

Kiritimati Island (formerly Christmas Island), the largest atoll in the Pacific Ocean, is the centerpiece of this low-oblique, northeast-looking photo. The atoll covers 606 sq km (234 sq mi), of which 243 sq km (94 sq mi) are land. The island was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1777. The majority of the island's inhabitants work on coconut plantations and in copra production. The island's major airbase is on the northeast side of the island. Nuclear tests were conducted on Kiritimati Island by the British in 1957 and 1958 and by the United States in 1962. Image courtesy of NASA.

Kiritimati Island (formerly Christmas Island), the largest atoll in the Pacific Ocean, is the centerpiece of this low-oblique, northeast-looking photo. The atoll covers 606 sq km (234 sq mi), of which 243 sq km (94 sq mi) are land. The island was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1777. The majority of the island's inhabitants work on coconut plantations and in copra production. The island's major airbase is on the northeast side of the island. Nuclear tests were conducted on Kiritimati Island by the British in 1957 and 1958 and by the United States in 1962. Image courtesy of NASA.

Millennium Island - known as Caroline Island prior to 2000 - is located at the southern end of the Line Islands, which make up the western portion of Kiribati. Uninhabited Millennium Island is formed from a number of smaller islets built on coral reefs. The reefs grew around a now-submerged volcanic peak, leaving a ring of coral around an inner lagoon. The shallow lagoon waters are a lighter blue than the deeper surrounding ocean water; tan linear "fingers" within the lagoon are the tops of corals. The two largest islets are Nake Islet (on the north) and South Islet. Image courtesy of NASA.

Millennium Island - known as Caroline Island prior to 2000 - is located at the southern end of the Line Islands, which make up the western portion of Kiribati. Uninhabited Millennium Island is formed from a number of smaller islets built on coral reefs. The reefs grew around a now-submerged volcanic peak, leaving a ring of coral around an inner lagoon. The shallow lagoon waters are a lighter blue than the deeper surrounding ocean water; tan linear "fingers" within the lagoon are the tops of corals. The two largest islets are Nake Islet (on the north) and South Islet. Image courtesy of NASA.

The two westernmost islands of the Galapagos archipelago. The largest of the group, Isabela, stretches across most of the frame. It was created from the merger of six shield volcanoes, several of which are visible in this view. The northernmost and highest, Volcano Wolf (1,707 m or 5,600 ft), lies directly on the equator. The smaller island of Fernandina displays a single volcanic cone. Image courtesy of NASA.

The two westernmost islands of the Galapagos archipelago. The largest of the group, Isabela, stretches across most of the frame. It was created from the merger of six shield volcanoes, several of which are visible in this view. The northernmost and highest, Volcano Wolf (1,707 m or 5,600 ft), lies directly on the equator. The smaller island of Fernandina displays a single volcanic cone. Image courtesy of NASA.

Easter Island, one of the most remote locations on Earth, is more than 3,200 km (2,000 mi) from the closest populations on Tahiti or Chile. Less than 25 km (15 mi) long, the island is dominated by volcanic landforms, including the large crater Rana Kao at the southwest end of the island and a line of cinder cones that stretch north from the central mountain. A final feature (difficult to see) is the very long runway (Chile's longest) near Rana Kao. The airport serves as an emergency space shuttle landing site. Image courtesy of NASA.

Easter Island, one of the most remote locations on Earth, is more than 3,200 km (2,000 mi) from the closest populations on Tahiti or Chile. Less than 25 km (15 mi) long, the island is dominated by volcanic landforms, including the large crater Rana Kao at the southwest end of the island and a line of cinder cones that stretch north from the central mountain. A final feature (difficult to see) is the very long runway (Chile's longest) near Rana Kao. The airport serves as an emergency space shuttle landing site. Image courtesy of NASA.

The tropical island of Moorea as viewed from the International Space Station. The barrier reefs surrounding the island create zones of shallow, tranquil light blue waters. Image courtesy of NASA.

The tropical island of Moorea as viewed from the International Space Station. The barrier reefs surrounding the island create zones of shallow, tranquil light blue waters. Image courtesy of NASA.

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