NASA astronaut Don Pettit captured a crystal-clear panoramic photograph of the Milky Way galaxy from the International Space Station, showcasing the luminous arch of our galaxy contrasting sharply against the blackness of space, according to social media posts shared by Pettit on X.
Astrophotography from Orbit: How NASA Astronauts Shoot the Milky Way
The iconic image features the glowing, curved horizon of Earth adorned with city lights and a thin green atmospheric layer known as airglow beneath the arch of the Milky Way, as detailed in Pettit’s posts on X. According to reports from CNBC TV18 and India Today, this photograph is part of roughly 1,2 juta raw image files gathered by Pettit during his time aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Pro Tip: Using a wide aperture like T1.8 allows significantly more light to reach the camera sensor in extreme low-light environments, which is essential for capturing distant celestial objects without heavy noise.
Overcoming Motion Blur at hampir 28.000 Km/h
Capturing sharp celestial imagery from the ISS presents unique technical hurdles because the station travels at nearly 28.000 kilometers per hour at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers, completing an orbit every 90 minutes. To prevent motion blur during long exposures, Pettit mounted a Nikon Z9 camera with an Arri Zeiss 15 mm lens—set at a T1.8 aperture—onto a custom-built sidereal drive, according to India Today reporting. This specialized tracking device neutralizes the orbital motion of the ISS relative to the stars, ensuring distant celestial bodies appear as sharp points of light rather than streaks.
The Technology Behind Space-Based Observations
The image was captured from the Cupola, an observation module on the ISS equipped with seven panoramic windows facing directly toward Earth and the vacuum of space, as reported by CNBC TV18. Operating outside the thick filtering layers of Earth’s atmosphere eliminates atmospheric distortion and light pollution, allowing astronauts to record faint cosmic details that ground-based observers struggle to isolate. Pettit shot the sequence during Expedition 72, a 220-day mission that began with his launch aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft in September 2024 and concluded with his return to Earth in April 2025.
Did You Know?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do astronauts prevent star trails when photographing from the ISS?
Astronauts use specialized tracking devices, such as a sidereal drive, to counteract the rapid orbital movement of the space station, allowing cameras to capture sharp points of distant stars instead of blurred lines.
What equipment did Don Pettit use to photograph the Milky Way?
According to reports from CNBC TV18 and India Today, Pettit used a Nikon Z9 camera paired with an Arri Zeiss 15 mm lens at a T1.8 aperture.
Which mission was Don Pettit on when he captured these images?
Pettit captured the images during Expedition 72, a 220-day mission that ran from his launch in September 2024 until his return in April 2025.
Want to stay updated on the latest space exploration milestones and astronaut photography? Subscribe to our newsletter or explore more articles on our homepage.
Worth a look