Australia's 'Phantom Lake' Shimmers with Golden Islands from Space
Lake Mackay, an ephemeral salt lake in the Australian outback, is known for its striking stripy golden islands that emerge when the lake fills with water. Captured by NASA's Terra satellite, these islands are surrounded by blue-green waters and are formed by permanent dunes shaped by wind erosion. The lake, which can persist for up to six months after heavy rains, serves as a temporary refuge for over 90 species of wildlife. It also inspired the name for a similar lake on Saturn's moon Titan.