Nighttime View of the United States from the ISS
On September 8, 2026, at approximately 3:40 a.m. local time, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station photographed the United States at night. The image reveals a sprawling glow of city lights across the country.
The perspective is centered on the New York City metropolitan area, where the brightest cluster of lights dominates the frame. Surrounding regions display a denser scattering of smaller lights, reflecting both coastal and inland settlement patterns.
The station was orbiting at an altitude of about 259 miles, or roughly 417 kilometers above Earth’s surface. This height provides a wide‑angle view of continental light patterns with minimal atmospheric interference.
The photograph was taken by Jessica Meir during her mission on the ISS. NASA subsequently released the image to the public to illustrate nighttime light pollution and urban illumination.