Gallery: Earth From Space

Key Takeaways:

1. Earth’s beauty is magnificently captured through images from space.
2. The International Space Station and other spacecraft provide stunning views of our planet.
3. Earth’s diverse landscapes, from oceans to deserts, are showcased in these images.
4. Rapid orbital speed allows frequent image capture, revealing Earth’s ever-changing splendor.
5. Reflect on the profound perspective of our planet’s vastness and interconnectedness.

In the midst of humanity’s ceaseless quest to explore the cosmos, the captivating allure of our own planet often remains overlooked. The International Space Station, hurtling through the heavens at an astonishing 17,150 miles per hour, offers us a breathtaking opportunity to behold Earth’s splendor from a wholly different vantage point. The intricate dance of oceans, deserts, mountain ranges, and lush forests unfolds beneath the station’s watchful gaze, reminding us of the marvel that is our home.

And it’s not just the International Space Station that allows us this privilege. A fleet of spacecraft has joined the cosmic imagery chorus, each contributing its unique angle on our planet’s elegance. These images, collected as 2016 draws to a close, invite us to contemplate Earth’s juxtaposition of grandeur and minuteness. In every shot, we find a visual poem narrating the story of a world that, from space, is at once vast and intimately interconnected—a planet deserving of our awe and preservation.

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PHOTO: TIM PEAKE/COURTESY OF ESA

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COURTESY OF NASA

Taken by the Expedition 40 crew, aboard the International Space Station.

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COURTESY OF NASA

Greece, as seen from the International Space Station.

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COURTESY OF NASA

The Indian Ocean, just east of the island of Madagascar, as seen from the Gemini-6 spacecraft.

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COURTESY OF ESA

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COURTESY OF NASA

Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto as seen from the International Space Station.

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COURTESY OF NASA

Taken during a night pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station.

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COURTESY OF ESA

The Sentinel-2A satellite takes us over the Gibson Desert in Western Australia.

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COURTESY OF NASA

Earth observation taken during night pass by an Expedition 36 crew member on board the International Space Station.

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COURTESY OF NASA

Taken by the Expedition 36 crew on board the International Space Station.