As he neared the end of a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut Don Pettit shared a captivating photograph that could easily grace the walls of an art exhibit.
This stunning image, captured from a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked at the ISS, showcases mesmerizing star trails alongside the twinkling lights of cities viewed from approximately 250 miles above the Earth.
Star trail from Crew 9 Dragon vehicle. Thanks to Babak Tafreshi for the image processing. pic.twitter.com/X6w462Wdtz
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) March 11, 2025
Throughout his latest mission, Pettit has delighted his followers with a series of breathtaking star trail images, but this particular photograph stands out among his extraordinary collection.
At 69 years old, Pettit is NASA’s oldest active astronaut. Over the course of his four missions, he has honed his skills as a space photographer, regularly sharing his incredible imagery on social media.
A few months back, he took a moment to engage with people on Earth about his passion for photography, which includes everything from star trails to stunning shots of a Crew Dragon spacecraft approaching Earth, vivid views of the Amazon rainforest, and awe-inspiring captures of auroras.
Recently, he also managed to document the dramatic moment when SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft disintegrated during its eighth flight test—making history with this powerful rocket.
“Images from space help tell a story for those on Earth who may never have the chance to go to space,” Pettit expressed when discussing his photography. He noted that while every photograph serves as a unique record of his experiences, “they also illustrate what it means for humanity to venture into the cosmos and explore new frontiers.”
