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astro_pettit OP t1_jbv8j2q wrote

Chain lightning depicted as discrete flashes in a timelapse. Seen here is the history of an electrical storm, city lights streaking by on Earth, and star trails. The star trails form straight lines in the orbital forward direction but circular arcs left and right of your orbit. The atmosphere on edge is yellowish due to the soon to rise sun. Above that is the atmosphere f-region, glowing in the red from solar radiation on the residual atmospheric oxygen.

Taken during Expedition-31, Nikon D3s, 24mm f1.4 lens, ISO 800, 25 minute time lapse assembled from sequential 30 second exposures, 2012.

More orbital astrophotography can be found on my twitter and Instagram profiles.

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RinShimizu t1_jbv9h30 wrote

Really cool! What’s the most interesting weather to view from orbit?

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JenShempie t1_jbvabzk wrote

Holy cow, Don Pettit! My favorite space man! Incredible photo!

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cowhampshireite t1_jbvdukn wrote

This is one of my all time favorite desktop wallpapers! It really appeals to me as both a space nerd and photography enthusiast.

I really enjoyed the video you helped Destin from Smarter Everyday make about the cupola. I thought it was really interesting to learn that tight engineering tolerances and o-rings are all that's needed to hold pressure for the shutter controls. https://youtu.be/KSzuiqVjJg4

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May-Eat-A-Pizza t1_jbvhbfn wrote

The first time I see star trails from space, mind-blowing. Thank you for sharing!

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sevangelen t1_jbvin4p wrote

I’m mesmerized by the beauty of this image. Thank you for the gift.

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littlehuman77 t1_jbvkmai wrote

Incredibly mesmerizing photography. Thanks so much for sharing, Don!

I know this isn’t an AMA of any sort, but I feel like this may be my opportunity to directly ask an individual who’s been to space -

Edgar Mitchell famously depicted his visit to the moon as an instant acquisition of global consciousness, stating that international politics become a petty thought. Do you also feel the same, or anything to a similar degree, when able to view our home from such a high vantage point? What’s it like to view Earth so far removed from it in a position where relatively few have been before?

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[deleted] t1_jbvracu wrote

You sir are an inspiration to me. I can not in words, begin to thank you for this incredibly fascinating phenomenon. Incredibly inspiring. I truly wish I could shake your hand sir. Consider yourself a hero in my world. May the universe bless you, your family, your crew and all you come in contact with. This is by far, one of the greatest words I’ve ever read in all my life.

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AdventurousContext74 t1_jbvtu3e wrote

Look at that illumination just imagine how quick all of that is happening! Great picture

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Mirabellae t1_jbvycc7 wrote

I don't know how you all get any work done up there! I would be staring out the window the whole time

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ViralVortex t1_jbw9l4g wrote

Great shot! Reminds of the old 80’s HBO Feature Presentation intro

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and_dont_blink t1_jbwifwu wrote

i've never wished more for a high-resolution version of a photo for my desktop

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VoiceOfSoftware t1_jbwj2y6 wrote

Finally, an an answer to all the deniers who ask "where are the stars?!?" :)

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TheRedditornator t1_jbwlply wrote

Am I the only one who thought at first this was inside a club with a laser projector on the ceiling and someone's legs on the right?

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AimlessRed t1_jbwm6y6 wrote

Mr. Pettit…just curious how copyright works with your images. Does it belong to you, NASA, some kind of joint arrangement given the unique situation?

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CaptainChaos74 t1_jbwq2xg wrote

Incredible! I want to hang this on my wall; where can I find the highest resolution version? Do you sell these?

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ItsameLuis98 t1_jbwxuyw wrote

At first I was like "you did what?"

Then I checked OP's profile. That's so cool

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duck_of_d34th t1_jby26go wrote

Replying to astro_pettit (#2,214,086)

Whoa. Now here's a question I've never considered: which way is the ISS going and/or facing? Is there a "front," or is that determined by the direction of travel?

You said pitch, so is the ISS kinda rolling(like a ball, not side to side tilting lol) around the planet?

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xHodorx t1_jbydehd wrote

Yo fellas it’s a real astronaut. That’s pretty cool

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ryjkyj t1_jbyzl74 wrote

This is so cool. I like to imagine it’s what our planet would look like to a higher dimensional being.

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xNIGHT_RANGEREx t1_jbz5kl6 wrote

This so cool! I can’t even imagine how Aw-inspiring it would be to be on the ISS and be able to capture and just see this (I mean seeing the stars and our Earth from space)

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Just_Eirik t1_jbzbras wrote

Do you ever take the cameras out in spacewalks?

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