On February 25, 2026, astronaut Chris Williams shared a breathtaking long-exposure photograph taken from the International Space Station (ISS). The image captures the vibrant city lights of Earth as the ISS orbits at an altitude of approximately 261 miles (420 kilometers) above the India-Pakistan border. The photograph highlights the contrast between the illuminated cities below and the distant stars, creating an ethereal visual narrative of our planet and the cosmos.
As the ISS travels around the Earth at a speed of about 17,500 mph (28,000 km/h), the city lights appear to streak by, leaving ghostly trails in their wake. This phenomenon occurs because of the long-exposure technique, which allows the camera to capture the rapid motion of both the ISS and the lights below. Meanwhile, the stars in the background create circular trails, a result of the ISS’s rotation as it maintains a steady orientation towards Earth.
In the foreground of Williams’ photograph, several components of the ISS are visible, including the Cygnus-23 cargo spacecraft. Docked at the space station’s Unity module, Cygnus-23 delivered approximately 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of supplies to the ISS in September 2025. Just behind the Canadarm2 robotic arm, the HTV-X1 cargo craft from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is also docked to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module.
This remarkable image serves as a testament to human ingenuity and the technological marvel of the ISS. It encapsulates not only the beauty of Earth viewed from space but also the vastness of the universe beyond. The combination of spacecraft hardware, city lights, and distant stars emphasizes the intricate relationship between humanity and the cosmos.
Williams’ photograph is more than just a stunning visual; it is a reminder of the ongoing exploration and research conducted aboard the ISS. As scientists and astronauts continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, images like this inspire future generations to look up and ponder the mysteries of the universe. The ISS remains a symbol of international collaboration in space exploration, showcasing what humanity can achieve when we work together.
