THIS amazing picture shows the huge slick caused by the BP oil disaster - which could be EIGHT TIMES worse than first feared.
A passing Nasa satellite snapped the leak causing devastation in the Gulf of Mexico - and political fallout between the US and Britain.
The oil appears with a white sheen in the image because it reflects sunlight more than the surrounding water.
The snap emerged as scientists for the US Geological Survey said up to 40,000 BARRELS a day had escaped before BP placed a cap over the damaged well.
Original estimates were 5,000 barrels a day. BP recently changed that figure to 19,000.
Nearly 16,000 barrels a day are now being collected through the capping system - and a syphon could draw up to 50,000 barrels daily by mid-July.
The leak began on April 20 when BP's Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, killing 11 workers. It has become America's worst environmental disaster and BP faces paying out billions in compensation.
Oil has hit beaches along the Gulf coast including Alabama and Florida. Yesterday Mexico said it may sue if oil hits its shores.
Meanwhile, PM David Cameron will hold phone talks with President Barack Obama at 3pm today in a bid to defuse the diplomatic row.
Mr Obama has been accused of anti-British rhetoric in his attacks on BP.
Mr Cameron has also been stung by accusations he has not stood up enough for UK interests.
Yesterday the PM held phone talks with BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg - who will meet Mr Obama next Wednesday.
Mr Cameron said it "is in everyone's interests" that BP continues to be a strong company, revealed a Downing Street aide.
His support helped push BP's embattled shares UP by seven per cent yesterday.
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