NASA launches the world's largest coral reef protection project

Besides the mission to explore space, scientists from the US Space and Aeronautics Agency (NASA) are working on a project to protect the Great Barrier Reef - the largest coral reef system in the world. Gender is located off Queensland, Australia.

This is part of NASA's efforts to protect the world's declining coral reefs due to adverse environmental impacts.

According to Guardian Australia on September 14, NASA's project lasted for 3 years with an investment value of up to $ 15 million. This project will help scientists discover the mysteries surrounding elements that make up coral reefs, through which they will get solutions to protect coral reefs from the risk of degeneration.

Great Barrier Reef was recognized as a World Natural Heritage in 1981.

To implement this project, NASA will support the Bermuda Oceanographic Institute of aircraft equipped with the most advanced image sensor device.

Expert Eric Hochberg of the institute said the device is also known as remote control universal, capable of collecting high-resolution image data and details such as close-up shots. With this tool, scientists will know the density of the area covered by coral, sand and algae in the Great Barrier Reef.

Later, this research process will be carried out in the Hawaiian Islands, Marianas Islands and Paulau Islands, which also focus on coral reefs. NASA aircraft will fly the flight through the end of October this year through six coral reef areas, starting from the southern region of Heron Island and ending in Australia's Torres Strait Island.

Great Barrier is considered the largest coral reef in the world with 3,000 reefs and 900 islands.

According to Hochberg, images taken at an altitude of 8.5 km above sea level will show a more comprehensive view of the situation as well as the factors affecting the health of the world's largest biological structure. .

Stretching about 2,600 km and covering nearly 344,400 km ² , the Great Barrier is considered the largest coral reef in the world with 3,000 reefs and 900 islands.

The Great Barrier Reef was recognized as a World Natural Heritage in 1981. However, due to the impact of the environment, nearly a quarter of the coral reefs are located in the far north. In Cairns, Queensland, it was damaged and disappeared.