NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick is gearing up for his return journey home aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule following an extensive seven-month mission with Crew-8. Before heading back, he took a breathtaking nighttime photograph showcasing the Nile River, the Nile Delta, Cairo, and its surroundings.
“Moonlight brightens Cairo and the Mediterranean on a mostly clear night,” Dominick shared alongside the stunning image, which he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
“We stayed up late last night adjusting our sleep schedules in anticipation of undocking and returning to Earth in a few days,” Dominick added. “Cairo at night has always been one of my favorite sights. I’m grateful that the timing allowed me to catch one last glimpse before we leave.”
The photograph, taken from approximately 250 miles above Earth, was shot with a 50mm lens set at f1.2, 1/10 second, and ISO 3200. While he didn’t specify the camera model, it’s likely he used a Nikon Z9 based on his previous photography.
As this is Dominick’s first mission in space, he has been delighting fans with remarkable images captured during his time aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This latest photograph may very well be one of his finest night captures.
As Dominick and three fellow astronauts make their final preparations for the return journey, their splashdown was previously postponed due to unfavorable weather in the landing area off Florida’s coast. NASA announced that there has been a slight improvement in the forecast conditions at the possible splashdown sites, indicating a target undocking time of no earlier than 9:05 p.m. ET on Monday, October 21. The earliest opportunity for the Crew Dragon to splash down is projected around 12:55 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 22.
