Astronaut Photography

The Fish Farms of Hainan Island
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The Fish Farms of Hainan Island

The southern coasts of this Chinese island are lined with tropical beaches, while the inner bays are lined with floating fishing villages.

Published Oct 9, 2021

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Hurricane Sam
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Hurricane Sam

The category-4 storm spun over the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by Tropical Storm Victor and Saharan dust to the southeast.

Published Oct 1, 2021

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Lakes Pueyrredón and Posadas
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Lakes Pueyrredón and Posadas

Glacial ice, rivers, and fierce winds have sculpted two spectacular lakes and several deltas in this part of Patagonia.

Published Oct 3, 2021

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A Moving and Falling Target
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A Moving and Falling Target

Shadows accentuate the depth of the canyon that the Niagara River has carved over the past 12,000 years.

Published Sep 26, 2021

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Noirmoutier, France
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Noirmoutier, France

The small tidal island provides a bounty of oysters and salt.

Published Sep 19, 2021

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A Meeting of Ice and Dunes
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A Meeting of Ice and Dunes

Shadows accentuate the topography in and around Ulaagchinii Khar Nuur in Mongolia.

Published Sep 13, 2021

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Spotlight on the Galápagos Islands
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Spotlight on the Galápagos Islands

Sunglint helps tease out features that are not often visible.

Published Sep 5, 2021

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The Paraná Megafan
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The Paraná Megafan

Though 36 years old, this photo remains one of the best for demonstrating vast inland delta landscapes.

Published Aug 29, 2021

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Turning on the Lights in Tokyo
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Turning on the Lights in Tokyo

Strings of light emanate from the Imperial Palace in the city’s center and follow the expressway system outward.

Published Aug 23, 2021

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A London Mosaic
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A London Mosaic

Twenty centuries after Londinium was founded, the capital city now includes 32 boroughs, numerous parks and bridges, and a rich history.

Published Aug 15, 2021

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The Valley of Fire
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The Valley of Fire

When the Sun sets, outcrops made of bright, rust-colored Aztec sandstone appear to be on fire.

Published Aug 8, 2021

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Clouds and Haze over Malay Peninsula
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Clouds and Haze over Malay Peninsula

Two monsoon seasons make space views of this area rare.

Published Aug 1, 2021

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Fire Island, Cabo Verde
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Fire Island, Cabo Verde

Fogo is part of an active stratovolcano with a turbulent history.

Published Jul 26, 2021

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Seeing Orange in the Kalahari
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Seeing Orange in the Kalahari

Sand dunes, ancient rocks, a solar power plant, and the Orange River stand out in this photo from South Africa.

Published Jul 18, 2021

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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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