An astronaut on the International Space Station took this {photograph} on November 25, 2024, whereas orbiting over Quebec, Canada. Instead of wanting straight down on the province, the astronaut pointed the digicam towards the Moon.
At the time, daylight illuminated 27 p.c of the waning crescent Moon. That’s the identical lunar section seen that day to individuals on Earth’s floor. These views are comparable as a result of the area station’s distance from Earth is negligible in comparison with its distance from the Moon.
However, there are some notable variations between ground- and station-based observations of the Moon. Because the area station orbits Earth at a speedy 28,200 kilometers (17,500 miles) per hour, astronauts witness many extra moonrises and moonsets (and sunrises and sunsets)—16 of every in a 24-hour interval.
Also, astronauts see the Moon with out the obvious shape- and color-changing results of Earth’s environment and with out clouds to doubtlessly block the view. On the day that this picture was taken, clouds lined a lot of Quebec, together with the bottom instantly beneath the station.
Since the time of this picture, the Moon has accomplished an orbit round Earth and entered a waxing crescent section by New Year’s Day 2025. Together, the Moon and Earth start one other journey across the Sun.
Astronaut {photograph} ISS072-E-277954 was acquired on November 25, 2024, with a Nikon Z9 digital digicam utilizing a focal size of 500 millimeters. It is supplied by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The picture was taken by a member of the Expedition 72 crew. The picture has been cropped and enhanced to enhance distinction, and lens artifacts have been eliminated. The International Space Station Program helps the laboratory as a part of the ISS National Lab to assist astronauts take photos of Earth that will likely be of the best worth to scientists and the general public, and to make these photos freely accessible on the Internet. Additional photos taken by astronauts and cosmonauts could be seen on the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Story by Kathryn Hansen.
