STUNNING SIGHTS FROM THE SPACE STATION

By  //  July 8, 2013

IMAGES TAKEN BY Expedition 36 crew members

An incredible photo shows a mass of storm clouds churning over the Atlantic Ocean near Brazil and the Equator. It was taken by one of the Expedition 36 crew members aboard the International Space Station. A Russian spacecraft, docked to the orbiting outpost, partially covers a small patch of sunlight on the ocean waters in a break in the clouds. The photo was taken using a 50mm lens. (NASA image)

Independence Day in orbit: As the International Space Station circles the earth, astronauts are able to capture stunning pictures such as this one as the orbiter crossed the Brazilian coast

Independence Day In Orbit: As the International Space Station circles the earth, astronauts are able to capture stunning pictures such as this one as the orbiter crossed the Brazilian coast. (NASA image)

Sunrise: This stunning image shows the Sun greeting the International Space Station as seen from the Russian section of the orbital outpost. It was taken by one of the crew

Sunrise: This stunning image shows the Sun greeting the International Space Station as seen from the Russian section of the orbital outpost. It was taken by one of the crew. (NASA image)

The sun is about to come up over the South Pacific Ocean

The sun is about to come up over the South Pacific Ocean in this colorful scene photographed by one of the Expedition 35 crew members aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station. (NASA image) The most recent picture from NASA is the latest in a stunning series of pictures captured by astronauts that have been orbiting the planet this year. The previous crew of Expedition 35, had Canadian Chris Hadfield on board who gained a cult following on Twitter for his images of the Earth from space. (NASA image)

One of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield's latest pictures from the International Space Station shows a darkened south-eastern United States just before dawn, with the moon rising above A picture from from the International Space Station shows a darkened south-eastern United States just before dawn, with the moon rising above. (NASA image) Bright lights: As well as aerial shots from all over the Earth, Commander Hadfield has taken pictures of much of the UK. This image shows Birmingham at night

Bright Lights: This image shows Birmingham, UK at night. (NASA image) Emerald Isle: The silhouettes of Ireland and Wales were captured in this beautiful picture taken from the ISS by Commander Hadfield Emerald Isle: The silhouettes of Ireland and Wales were captured in this beautiful picture taken from the ISS. (NASA image)

Shining bright: Hadfield says that you can even see the bright lights of Alcatraz in this night time photograph of San Francisco

Shining Bright: Even see the bright lights of Alcatraz can be seen in this night time photograph of San Francisco. (NASA image)

Contrast: Commander Hadfield posted this shot of a vivid blue river snaking through Brazilian farmland on his Twitter page Contrast: This shot shows a vivid blue river snaking through Brazilian farmland. (NASA image)