Spacecraft, stars and city lights | Space photo of the day Feb. 25, 2026
Space.com
by Brett Tingley February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A striking timelapse photograph taken from the International Space Station (ISS) captures the vastness of space, showcasing city lights streaking below and star trails in the distance. NASA astronaut Chris Williams snapped this long-exposure image while the ISS orbited Earth at 17,500 mph, approximately 261 miles above the India-Pakistan border. The photograph elegantly combines elements of human achievement and cosmic wonder, offering a unique perspective on our place in the universe.
The image highlights the rapid movement of city lights across Earth's surface, a testament to the ISS's orbital speed. Simultaneously, distant stars create circular trails, illustrating the station's rotation as it maintains its orientation relative to Earth. This visual interplay emphasizes the contrasting scales of terrestrial and cosmic phenomena, reminding viewers of the immense expanse beyond our planet.
In the foreground, visible hardware on the ISS adds context to the scene. The Cygnus-23
Verticals
spacescience
Originally published on Space.com on 2/25/2026