Gazing at the night sky is always a magical experience, but witnessing it from space takes it to another level. NASA astronaut Don Pettit recently captured a mesmerizing image of the Milky Way from the International Space Station (ISS), offering a rare and stunning perspective of our galaxy from orbit.
Using a specialized camera with low-light and long-exposure settings, Pettit took the breathtaking shot on January 29, 2025. The image showcases the Milky Way’s radiant glow stretching beyond Earth’s horizon just before sunrise. At the time, the ISS was soaring 265 miles above the Pacific Ocean near Chile’s coastline. This celestial masterpiece highlights the beauty and vastness of our universe.
Pettit is part of the Expedition 72 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Nick Hague. While capturing awe-inspiring space imagery, the team is also engaged in groundbreaking scientific research. Their work involves pharmaceutical advancements, genetic sequencing in microgravity, and developing life support technologies for future space missions.
From unlocking cosmic wonders to advancing space science, the ISS crew continues to push the boundaries of human exploration, reminding us of the infinite mysteries waiting to be discovered beyond our world.
