What. A. Beauty!
Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), surrounded by the vast darkness of space, NASA astronaut Don Pettit achieved what most ground-based astronomers can only dream of—capturing a crystal-clear image of two neighboring dwarf galaxies. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, cosmic companions of our Milky Way, were brought into stunning focus thanks to Pettit’s ingenuity and a homemade camera tracker he carried into orbit.
This rare glimpse of the Magellanic Clouds highlights not just the beauty of space but also the challenges of photographing stars and galaxies from the ISS. Pettit shared his achievement on Instagram, writing, “In space, you can see stars! This is a time exposure using a homemade tracker that cancels @iss motion. I flew it in my personal stuff. More photos to come and how [sic] this all works.”
View this post on Instagram
How Space Photography Challenges Astronomers
Contrary to popular belief, astronauts aboard the ISS enjoy a richer, unobstructed view of the stars compared to what we see on Earth. Without the interference of light pollution and atmospheric distortion, the night sky from space is a brilliant spectacle. Yet capturing this beauty on camera is no simple task.
The ISS orbits Earth at a speed of 8 kilometers per second (17,150 mph). At such speeds, stabilizing a camera for long-exposure shots requires exceptional precision. Pettit’s innovative tracker countered the station’s motion, allowing him to photograph the galaxies in remarkable detail. While the Earth appears as a colorful blur in his images, the galaxies shine with clarity, underscoring Pettit’s skill as both an astronaut and a photographer.
Photographing stars presents additional difficulties. Stars emit relatively dim light compared to the Earth and Moon, whose brightness can overwhelm celestial details. To balance these factors, Pettit used a high shutter speed and precise timing, ensuring the stars and galaxies were visible while managing the intense light from Earth’s reflection.
View this post on Instagram
The Impact of Satellites on Space Observation
In another video, Pettit recorded what he jokingly described as “cosmic fireflies.” These weren’t glowing stars but reflections from Starlink satellites—part of a sprawling satellite network launched by SpaceX. Their solar panels reflect sunlight, creating bright trails that crisscross the night sky.
While Starlink’s ambition to provide global internet coverage is admirable, its presence in low Earth orbit raises concerns among astronomers. The growing number of satellites is contributing to light pollution, even in remote areas previously untouched by artificial light. This pollution complicates ground-based astronomical observations, diminishing humanity’s ability to study the universe and enjoy pristine views of the night sky.
Pettit’s images offer more than artistic wonder; they serve as a reminder of what’s at stake as we expand our presence in space. Balancing technological advancement with the preservation of celestial views is an ongoing challenge that requires thoughtful collaboration between the scientific community and private industries.
