Astronaut Photography

Turning on the Lights in Tokyo
Image

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

Image of the Day Human Presence

A London Mosaic
Image

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

Image of the Day Human Presence

The Valley of Fire
Image

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

Image of the Day Land

Clouds and Haze over Malay Peninsula
Image

Clouds and Haze over Malay Peninsula

Two monsoon seasons make space views of this area rare.

Published Aug 1, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Fire Island, Cabo Verde
Image

Fire Island, Cabo Verde

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

Published Jul 26, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water

Seeing Orange in the Kalahari
Image

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

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Lake Tana and the Ethiopian Highlands
Image

Lake Tana and the Ethiopian Highlands

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

Published Jul 12, 2021

Image of the Day Land

The Avenues of America
Image

The Avenues of America

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

Published Jul 4, 2021

Image of the Day Human Presence

Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
Image

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

Image of the Day Land

Sweet and Salty Sonora
Image

Sweet and Salty Sonora

Chocolate mountains and a salty lake highlight this desert landscape.

Published Jun 20, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water

An Entanglement of Land and Sea
Image

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

Image of the Day Land

Greater Delhi
Image

Greater Delhi

India’s largest conurbation stretches for 70 kilometers.

Published Jun 6, 2021

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Plumes Near Isla del Carmen
Image

Plumes Near Isla del Carmen

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

Published May 30, 2021

Image of the Day Water Human Presence

One Night in Bangkok
Image

One Night in Bangkok

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

Published May 25, 2021

Image of the Day Human Presence

The Bridges of Tampa Bay
Image

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

Image of the Day Water Human Presence

Ghana by the Sea
Image

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

Image of the Day Land Water

A Clear Day Over San Francisco Bay
Image

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

Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence

Winter is Long in Orenburg
Image

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

Image of the Day Land Human Presence Snow and Ice

Western Lake Trio
Image

Western Lake Trio

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

Published Apr 11, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water

Two Volcanic Peaks that are Far from Twins
Image

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

Image of the Day Land

Red Sea Rainforests
Image

Red Sea Rainforests

Coral reef ecosystems thrive off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

Published Mar 28, 2021

Image of the Day Land Water

Texas Gulf Coast
Image

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

Image of the Day Land

Picturing Earth: Eye of the Beholder
Image

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

Image of the Day Human Presence Remote Sensing Videos

Ol Doinyo Lengai
Image

Ol Doinyo Lengai

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

Published Mar 15, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Fisheye Over Sinai
Image

Fisheye Over Sinai

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

Published Mar 7, 2021

Image of the Day Land

Stars in Motion
Image

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

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Human Presence

Himalayas, Near and Far
Image

Himalayas, Near and Far

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

Published Mar 4, 2021

Image of the Day Land Snow and Ice

Japan at Night
Image

Japan at Night

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

Published Feb 28, 2021

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

A Long-Ago Lake Amid the Dunes
Image

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

Image of the Day Land Human Presence

Cruising Past the Aurora Borealis
Image

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

Image of the Day Atmosphere