The mesmerizing photo of London’s night lights, captured from an impressive 250 miles above by the newest member of the International Space Station (ISS), is making waves. Don Pettit, a seasoned astronaut and the oldest active member of NASA at 69, was the photographer behind the stunning image. This is Pettit’s fourth voyage to the ISS, and he wasted no time capturing the breathtaking view of the city.
The photograph, which Pettit captioned “London sparkling at night,” was shared by him on his X (previously known as Twitter) account this past Wednesday. The remarkable picture was shot using a Nikon Z9 full-frame camera, with a focal length of 200mm, an aperture of f2, a speed of 1/320 sec, and an ISO of 25600.
Shortly after his arrival, Pettit managed to snap another extraordinary image. This one depicted the Polaris Dawn spacecraft speeding into Earth’s atmosphere, marking the end of a historic five-day mission with four astronauts onboard.
Pettit is no stranger to capturing awe-inspiring shots during his stints at the ISS. His social media followers eagerly anticipate more of his stunning photography throughout his six-month space mission. Among his specialties are dramatic star trail images, such as one he took back in 2012, using a Nikon D3s with a 24mm lens. The image was created by stacking multiple 30-second exposures.
He also has a penchant for near-infrared images. One of his most notable captures from 2012 showcases a flora-rich river delta nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, appearing in bright magenta. This image was taken with a modified Nikon D3s and a 180mm lens set at f/4.5 and ISO 400.
While most astronauts are content with admiring the view from the ISS, some, like Pettit, Matthew Dominick, and Thomas Pesquet, go a step further by immortalizing the scenery with their cameras. And for that, we are truly thankful.
The mesmerizing photographs provide a glimpse into the unique experiences of astronauts and offer an opportunity to appreciate our planet’s beauty from a perspective few will ever experience. Whether you’re an investor eyeing the space industry or a casual observer, Pettit’s stunning imagery is a remarkable testament to the wonders of space travel.
