NASA shares awe-inspiring picture of lightning over India from space |

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently shared a breathtaking image of lightning over India from space, capturing the awe of viewers worldwide. The photograph, taken from the International Space Station (ISS), showcases a single lightning bolt illuminating the night sky over India. Dominick posted the image on August 17, 2024, on his social media account, where it quickly garnered over a million views.
Take a look at the post here:

“Lightning at night over India.When trying to capture lighting in an image I use burst mode and hope lighting strikes in the frame. I was super happy when this lightning strike ended up in the middle of the frame. No crop needed. 1/5s, 85mm, f1.4, ISO 6400,” Dominick wrote in his post. The image, taken with a high-speed camera, perfectly framed the lightning bolt against the backdrop of Earth, creating a striking visual.
Dominick further explained the technical details of the photograph in response to comments. He noted that the lights from boats in the waters appeared as short streaks due to the ISS’s rapid orbital speed and the camera’s exposure time of 1/5th of a second. “In the bottom middle of the image you can see lights from boats in the waters that look like short little lines or streaks. The streaks are caused by the space station’s orbital speed and the distance the space station moves in 1/5s (camera’s exposure time),” he elaborated.

The image also featured a blur over a city in the left-middle section, which Dominick attributed to a combination of light haze, clouds, and the ISS’s movement. “The blur over the city in the left/middle of the frame is likely light haze and/or clouds combined with streaking from orbital speed,” he added. This level of detail provided by Dominick offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and intricacies of capturing such images from space.
Social media users were quick to praise the photograph, with many describing it as one of the most interesting photos they have seen. Comments ranged from “Awesome work!!” to Wow wee! Huge gratitude 🙏 it’s utterly divine! 🙏,” demonstrating the image’s widespread adoration. One user remarked, “This is one of the most interesting photos I have seen in my life,” while another called it a “powerful photograph”.
Dominick, who is known for sharing stunning images from his time aboard the ISS, has once again provided a unique perspective on our planet. His photograph of lightning over India not only showcases the beauty of natural phenomena but also the advanced technology and skill required to capture such moments from space.
The image gives us a glimpse of the incredible views that astronauts are privileged to witness and share with the world. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of space agencies like NASA to bring the wonders of space closer to people on Earth. As Dominick continues his mission aboard the ISS, we can look forward to more awe-inspiring images and insights from his unique vantage point.