Night sky and space: from the stars to Earth's lights

The Milky Way, star trails and auroras photographed from the International Space Station. 15 Oct 2026 · 8 photos · Hannah Okoye

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1. The Milky Way rises between mountains and is reflected in a lake. Photo: Andrew Coelho andrewcoelho / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

2. A starry sky and lights on the far shore mirrored on a calm fjord. Photo: W.carter / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

3. A night sky full of stars above desert dunes. Photo: Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

4. Circular star trails captured in a long-exposure photograph. Photo: hjrivas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

5. The Milky Way above Earth's atmospheric glow, seen from the space station. Photo: NASA/Kjell Lindgren / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

6. Green auroras ripple above the night side of Earth. Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

7. A bright green aurora curling above the clouds, seen from orbit. Photo: ISS Expedition 23 crew / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

8. Italy's boot shape outlined by city lights, seen from space at night. Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)