The white area appears to be getting brighter because we are seeing it more directly. Looking at it obliquely it's more faded much like looking at the sun on the horizon is more faded that when overhead because we are looking obliquely through the atmosphere. Look at the orientation of the debris ring. The dimmer view of the planet is more oblique. The white area also appears the same size going down to the same general latitude, it just looks bigger when you can see more of it.

Number of cosmonauts killed going to/from/or in space in a Soyuz: 4 (Soyuz 1, Soyuz 11)

Number of astronauts killed going to/from/or in space in a Space Shuttle: 14 (Columbia, Challenger).

Canadians have a different radio tradition:

https://youtu.be/z4i3LmR0K74

I suspect it's just pareidolia. Notice the same "human and animal footprints" are seen in the clouds above the mud.

Doesn't the Parthenon have two huge bronze doors? At least the one in Nashville does. I can't seem to find reference to whether the original had them.