An Astronaut's Eye View of Earth

In 2019, I had the privilege of meeting NASA astronaut Donald Roy Pettit at the Northeast Astronomy Forum and Space Expo (NEAF). Fresh from his fourth mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Don has once again captured the mesmerizing beauty of our planet through his lens.

A Masterpiece from Above

Recently, I received a stunning piece of Don's astrophotography from our mutual friend, Peter A. Blacksberg, who is the executive producer of 'Portraits of a Planet: Photographer in Space' at Yale. This masterpiece, sent on January 11, 2025, is a must-see.

Capturing Celestial Wonders

In his email, Don describes the image: 'One photo with: Milky Way, zodiacal light, satellites as streaks, stars as pinpoints, atmosphere on edge showing OH emission as burned umber (my favorite Crayon color), soon to rise sun, and cities at night as streaks.' The zodiacal light is particularly fascinating—it’s a soft glow caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles in the solar system, also known as false dawn.

The ISS: A Global Collaboration

The ISS, a remarkable feat of engineering, was designed between 1984 and 1993. Its construction involved teams from the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Europe, bringing together international crews, multiple launch vehicles, and a vast network of operations and research.

Discover More about Life in Space

For those eager to explore life aboard the ISS, check out this captivating website offering an insider's view of the station’s daily operations and discoveries.

Dive into 'Spaceborne'

Don Pettit also shares insights from his book, 'Spaceborne,' published in 2016, where he chronicles the extraordinary images and stories from his time in space. You can preview his work on Goodreads and dream of what it’s like to gaze upon Earth from the final frontier.