
Stunning Time-Lapse from Space: Discover the Wonders Below!
2025-06-03
Author: Ling
Get ready to be blown away by the latest jaw-dropping photo from NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers! This week, she shared a mesmerizing time-lapse sequence captured from the International Space Station as it cruised over Central and South America.
Ayers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her awe, saying, "Soooooo much going on in this picture!" In her breathtaking shot, you can spot Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and even the distant contours of South America.
One of the most striking features in this masterpiece is a brilliant lightning strike illuminating the skies near Panama City, surrounded by swirling clouds. But that’s not all — above the lightning, a rare reddish phenomenon known as a 'sprite' makes an appearance, reminiscent of a jellyfish floating in the upper atmosphere at heights between 50 to 90 kilometers. This ethereal sight adds an extra layer of beauty to the image.
Adding to the magic, the reflection of the lightning can even be seen shimmering off the structure of the space station itself, right at the top of the image. To top it all off, the atmospheric airglow creates a stunning orange line just above the horizon.
This captivating photo is just a glimpse of the wonders Ayers captures from her unique vantage point. Stay tuned, as we can't wait to see what other spectacular treasures she shares with us from high above the Earth!