Astronaut Photography

Lake Tana and the Ethiopian Highlands
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Lake Tana and the Ethiopian Highlands

The rugged volcanic terrain creates a temperate climate in a mostly dry place.

Published Jul 12, 2021

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The Avenues of America
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The Avenues of America

Wide, diagonal avenues radiate from the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., outward through the city.

Published Jul 4, 2021

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Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
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Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

The distinct nub protruding from the east coast of South Island includes remnants of extinct, eroded volcanoes.

Published Jun 27, 2021

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Sweet and Salty Sonora
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Sweet and Salty Sonora

Chocolate mountains and a salty lake highlight this desert landscape.

Published Jun 20, 2021

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An Entanglement of Land and Sea
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An Entanglement of Land and Sea

Sediment-rich water from the interior of Madagascar meets the sea in mangrove-fringed Loza Bay.

Published Jun 13, 2021

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Greater Delhi
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Greater Delhi

India’s largest conurbation stretches for 70 kilometers.

Published Jun 6, 2021

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Plumes Near Isla del Carmen
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Plumes Near Isla del Carmen

Circulation patterns stir up abundant sediment around the largest coastal lagoon on the Gulf Coast.

Published May 30, 2021

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One Night in Bangkok
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One Night in Bangkok

Thailand’s capital and most populous city lights up southeast Asia.

Published May 25, 2021

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The Bridges of Tampa Bay
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The Bridges of Tampa Bay

Bridges, piers, and developed keys add a distinct human geometry to this vast bay on Florida’s west coast.

Published May 16, 2021

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Ghana by the Sea
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Ghana by the Sea

The coast of the tropical Africa nation is shaped by a confluence of rivers, lagoons, and bays.

Published May 2, 2021

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A Clear Day Over San Francisco Bay
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A Clear Day Over San Francisco Bay

The Bay Area has several famous landmarks that stand out from the Space Station.

Published Apr 25, 2021

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Winter is Long in Orenburg
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Winter is Long in Orenburg

Snow cover highlights the details of this railroad hub and city at the south end of the Ural Mountains.

Published Apr 18, 2021

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Western Lake Trio
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Western Lake Trio

An astronaut captured this view of three basins—Tahoe, Walker, and Mono—straddling two different climates.

Published Apr 11, 2021

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Two Volcanic Peaks that are Far from Twins
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Two Volcanic Peaks that are Far from Twins

The active Colima and extinct Nevado de Colima are both andesitic stratovolcanoes in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.

Published Apr 4, 2021

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Red Sea Rainforests
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Red Sea Rainforests

Coral reef ecosystems thrive off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

Published Mar 28, 2021

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Texas Gulf Coast
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Texas Gulf Coast

An astronaut captured this wide view from flat and humid coastal wetlands and barrier islands to rocky inland hills and woodlands.

Published Mar 21, 2021

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Picturing Earth: Eye of the Beholder
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Picturing Earth: Eye of the Beholder

We asked a space station team and an astronaut to share a few of their favorite views from above.

Published Mar 19, 2021

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Ol Doinyo Lengai
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Ol Doinyo Lengai

The symmetric “Mountain of God” in Tanzania is part of the East African Rift system.

Published Mar 15, 2021

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Fisheye Over Sinai
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Fisheye Over Sinai

Astronaut Andrew Morgan used a fisheye lens to capture the intersection of two continents.

Published Mar 7, 2021

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Stars in Motion
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Stars in Motion

A compilation of dozens of long-exposure photographs taken from space turns stars into stunning rings and city lights and fires into colorful streaks.

Published Mar 6, 2021

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Himalayas, Near and Far
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Himalayas, Near and Far

Two astronauts. Two clear days. Two gorgeous views around the roof of the world.

Published Mar 4, 2021

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Japan at Night
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Japan at Night

The contrast of the bright lights against the dark landscape makes this a favorite astronaut photo.

Published Feb 28, 2021

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A Long-Ago Lake Amid the Dunes
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A Long-Ago Lake Amid the Dunes

The modern oasis of Jubbah sits within the wind shadow of historic mountains and the basin of an ancient lakebed.

Published Mar 2, 2021

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Cruising Past the Aurora Borealis
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Cruising Past the Aurora Borealis

Astronauts have snapped numerous photos of the light show from their unique perch on the International Space Station.

Published Feb 27, 2021

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Hints of a Recent Eruption
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Hints of a Recent Eruption

Photographing an ongoing volcanic eruption anywhere on Earth is a matter of luck for most astronauts, but Kamchatka provides its share of opportunities.

Published Feb 21, 2021

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The Red Crest
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The Red Crest

The Namib Desert bears a scar from a meteorite impact.

Published Feb 18, 2021

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Bolts of Blue
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Bolts of Blue

Cameras and sensors on the International Space Station have been helping scientists to characterize the natural light shows produced at the tops of thunderstorms.

Published Feb 10, 2021

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Picturing Earth: Astronaut Photography In Focus
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Picturing Earth: Astronaut Photography In Focus

For 20 years, astronauts have been shooting photos of Earth from the space station. Like everything the astronauts do, they are trained for this job. And like everything they do, there is purpose and intention behind it.

Published Feb 8, 2021

Human Presence Remote Sensing Videos

Sands and Mats at Padre Island
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Sands and Mats at Padre Island

The barrier island in Texas has much to teach about barrier islands and Martian life.

Published Jan 31, 2021

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Bustling Persian Gulf at Night
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Bustling Persian Gulf at Night

City lights and shipping traffic mark one of the world’s major economic crossroads.

Published Jan 24, 2021

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