Now THAT'S a room with a view: Stunning pictures taken by astronauts on the space station show Earth's beauty and fragility

  • The image were taken by astronauts Tim Peake, Tim Kopra and Jeffrey William who are part of Expedition 47
  • The International Space Station has spent 17 years in orbit, travelling more than 2.6 billion miles around the planet 
  • Astronauts on board send back almost daily images of our planet with the help of powerful digital cameras
  • They have captured weird cloud shapes, fleeting lightning shows, colourful aurora, sunsets and nightscapes 

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It has travelled more than 2.6 billion miles and circled the Earth more than 100,000 times since it launched into space 17 years ago.

During their time on board the International Space Station, the crews living there have enjoyed some of the best views of our planet imaginable.

So it is hardly surprising that they have now taken more than three million images on board as they orbit 249 miles above the Earth.

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The current expedition of astronauts on board the International Space Station has seen some extraordinary images beamed back from orbit. These include this picture of an aurora lighting up the atmosphere of Earth as the ISS passes overhead

The current expedition of astronauts on board the International Space Station has seen some extraordinary images beamed back from orbit. These include this picture of an aurora lighting up the atmosphere of Earth as the ISS passes overhead

Yet despite this, the images beamed back by the current group of astronauts on the space station are widely considered to be among the best.

From this distance, the landscape racing past below at 17,150 miles per hour can look frighteningly fragile.

ORBITAL MILESTONE REACHED

On Monday 16 May, the International Space station embarked on its 100,000th orbit of Earth.

Since the first module of the ISS launched 17 years ago, the station has racked up more than 2.6 billion miles - equivalent to 10 round trips to Mars, or almost one way to Neptune.

Each orbit of the planet takes roughly 90 minutes, with 16 orbits making up one day for the crew aboard the station.

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But the pictures taken by astronauts Tim Peake, Tim Kopra and Jeffrey Williams capture the remarkable beauty and majesty of planet Earth.

Stunning sunsets over the vast oceans, towering mountain ranges dominating landscapes, and

They have also captured the footprint that human activity has now placed on our planet, from swathes of glowing lights of cities at night, geometric patterns left by agriculture and patches of grey concrete that mark the places we call home.

The images also provide a glimpse of the fragility of our world. From the last tendril of ice melting on the Bering Sea to the ever shifting chaos created by sand dunes as they spread from the desert to envelope neighbouring landscapes.

British astronaut Tim Peake has particularly built a name for himself by taking stunning pictures of planet Earth.

Some of his most recent pictures include a remarkable picture of the Manicouagan impact crater in Canada, a ring shaped structure left by an asteroid strike around 210 million years ago.

Major Peake, who is due to return to Earth later this month, is nearing the end of his six month mission on board the ISS.

Despite taking pictures almost every day from his unrivaled room with a view, Major Peake has selected two of his favourite images to mark the launch of the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016 competition.

He said if he was to enter the competition, he would chose a spectacular picture of a sunrise that reveals the colourful layers of the Earth's thin atmosphere.

This picture of New York shows the huge urban sprawl that dominates this part of the east coast of the US. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island are all in view

This picture of New York shows the huge urban sprawl that dominates this part of the east coast of the US. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island are all in view

A lightning flash illuminates the a storm on the Earth while the Milky Way illuminates the sky above in this stunning picture from the ISS

A lightning flash illuminates the a storm on the Earth while the Milky Way illuminates the sky above in this stunning picture 

The chaotic encroachment of sand dunes from the desert in central Algeria onto the surrounding landscape are among the images captured by the astronauts that can prove invaluable to scientists studying the environmental changes taking place on Earth

The chaotic encroachment of sand dunes from the desert in central Algeria onto the surrounding landscape are among the images captured by the astronauts that can prove invaluable to scientists studying the environmental changes taking place on Earth

Nasa astronaut on the ISS captured this oblique view of the towering snow-caped peaks of the Himalaya Mountains last month

Nasa astronaut on the ISS captured this oblique view of the towering snow-caped peaks of the Himalaya Mountains last month

This astonishing  picture shows a a dramatic thunderstorm as lightning discharges in the clouds on 17 May above Arkansas

This astonishing picture shows a a dramatic thunderstorm as lightning discharges in the clouds on 17 May above Arkansas

Astronaut Scott Kelly, who returned to Earth in March after spending a year in orbit, captured this stunning sunrise on the 1 March as he prepared to depart the space station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft

Astronaut Scott Kelly, who returned to Earth in March after spending a year in orbit, captured this stunning sunrise on the 1 March as he prepared to depart the space station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft

WHAT ASTRONOMERS THINK OF TIM PEAKES SPACE PHOTOGRAPHS 

Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich and judge in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year, has examined the photographs astronaut Tim Peake said he would like to enter in the competition.

He said: 'Tim's images give us a unique view of the cosmos, thanks to his perch on the ISS, which essentially acts as a very tall camera tripod. 

'He's captured inspiring shots of our planet and the wider Universe, which I'm sure, will spur on a whole new generation of astronauts and space industry workers. 

'And who knows, as living and working in space becomes a reality for more and more people, perhaps we'll see amazing photos like this actually being entered in the not so distant future.' 

British astronaut Tim Peake has selected two of his own pictures taken during his past five months on board the International Space Station that he would enter into the International Astronomy Photographer of the Year. His picture of a sunset above is one

British astronaut Tim Peake has selected two of his own pictures taken during his past five months on board the International Space Station that he would enter into the International Astronomy Photographer of the Year. His picture of a sunset above is one

Another of Major Peake's images he picked out for the competition shows the stars of the Milky Way glistening through the thin atmosphere of Earth while the ISS soars above the planet (pictured)

Another of Major Peake's images he picked out for the competition shows the stars of the Milky Way glistening through the thin atmosphere of Earth while the ISS soars above the planet (pictured)

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Astronauts onboard the ISS experience 16 sunrises and sunsets every day as the space station races around the planet.

Major Peake also selected a picture of the Milky Way glistening over the curved horizon of planet Earth as the ISS soared above it.

The crew on board the ISS have a range of Nikon digital cameras and lenses to help them capture their pictures. They also use a Red Epic Dragon to film 4K footage from orbit.

While in orbit, one of the astronauts jobs on the current expedition has been to launch tiny satellites known as CubeSats from the space station. Footage of one of these launches led UFO enthusiasts to claim they had spotted an alien object
Taken by Flight engineer Jeff Williams, this composite of images capture the sun glinting off the central Pacific Ocean between a cover of low clouds

While in orbit, one of the astronauts jobs on the current expedition has been to launch tiny satellites known as CubeSats from the space station (pictured left). Footage of one of these launches led UFO enthusiasts to claim they had spotted an alien object. The composite picture on the right, taken by Flight engineer Jeff Williams, captures the sun glinting off the central Pacific Ocean between low clouds

The astronauts do not just spend their time looking down at the Earth, as this picture of the Moon captured by Tim Peake shows

The astronauts do not just spend their time looking down at the Earth, as this picture of the Moon captured by Tim Peake shows

More than three million images have been taken on board the ISS. This portrait of the current crew, Expedition 47, taken on 12 May, is the 3 millionth image. It shows ESA astronaut Timothy Peake, NASA astronaut Timothy Kopra and Roscosmos cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (left to right front row), Russian cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka and Alexey Ovchinin along with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams in the back row

More than three million images have been taken on board the ISS. This portrait of the current crew, Expedition 47, taken on 12 May, is the 3 millionth image. It shows ESA astronaut Timothy Peake, NASA astronaut Timothy Kopra and Roscosmos cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (left to right front row), Russian cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka and Alexey Ovchinin along with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams in the back row

Nasa astronaut and space station commander Tim Kopra captured this nightscape of Chicago , which shows the city's distinctive grid shaped layout of its streets

Nasa astronaut and space station commander Tim Kopra captured this nightscape of Chicago , which shows the city's distinctive grid shaped layout of its streets

Not all of the pictures taken on board the ISS are out of the window. This picture taken by Tim Kopra shows his breakfast taco of shredded port, cheese, eggs, salsa and refried beans floating inside the Unity module

Not all of the pictures taken on board the ISS are out of the window. This picture taken by Tim Kopra shows his breakfast taco of shredded port, cheese, eggs, salsa and refried beans floating inside the Unity module

Depending on the angle of the sunlight, the astronauts can see some dramatic cloud formations, like this cumulonimbus cloud captured by Major Peake on 3 April 

Depending on the angle of the sunlight, the astronauts can see some dramatic cloud formations, like this cumulonimbus cloud captured by Major Peake on 3 April 

This picture shows the last finger of sea ice on the Bering Sea melting along the Russian coastline 

This picture shows the last finger of sea ice on the Bering Sea melting along the Russian coastline 

A romantic holiday destination for many, this image captured by Jeff Williams shows how Venice in Italy runs the risk of being consumed by the rising tides of the Adriatic Sea

A romantic holiday destination for many, this image captured by Jeff Williams shows how Venice in Italy runs the risk of being consumed by the rising tides of the Adriatic Sea

This image is a composite together at the Johnson space Centre in Houston using photographs taken by crew members on the ISS. It shows Mount Brandberg Nature Reserve in Namibia, Africa

This image is a composite together at the Johnson space Centre in Houston using photographs taken by crew members on the ISS. It shows Mount Brandberg Nature Reserve in Namibia, Africa

Tim Peake captured this rare, high-altitude noctilucent, or night-shining, clouds that form between 47 and 53 miles above the Earth's surface near the boundary of the mesosphere and the thermosphere

Tim Peake captured this rare, high-altitude noctilucent, or night-shining, clouds that form between 47 and 53 miles above the Earth's surface near the boundary of the mesosphere and the thermosphere

Many of the pictures taken by the astronauts are used by scientists at Nasa's Earth Obeservatory to study the impacts of the changing environment.

In a recent interview with reporters from the International Space Station, Major Peake said that when he returns to Earth on 18 June, it would be the view from the window he would miss the most.

He said: 'I thought that after a few months, you would be used to Planet Earth. But I'm enjoying it more and more.

British astronaut Tim Peake has built a reputation for capturing some stunning night time photography from the ISS, like this one as he passed over Italy, the Mediterranean and the Alps

British astronaut Tim Peake has built a reputation for capturing some stunning night time photography, like this one as he passed over Italy, the Mediterranean and the Alps

This image may look more like an abstract painting but actually shows the enormous dunes on the outskirts of the Namib Desert in southeset Africa. As one of the oldest deserts in the world, it covers large swathes of Namibia, Angola and South Africa

This image may look more like an abstract painting but actually shows the enormous dunes on the outskirts of the Namib Desert in southeset Africa. As one of the oldest deserts in the world, it covers large swathes of Namibia, Angola and South Africa

Before Scott Kelly left the space station, ESA astronaut Tim Peake got some tips off him on how to capture the stunning lights of the aurora as the solar wind smashes into the Earth's atmosphere. The picture above is one of his first attempts

Before Scott Kelly left the space station, ESA astronaut Tim Peake got some tips off him on how to capture the stunning lights of the aurora as the solar wind smashes into the Earth's atmosphere. The picture above is one of his first attempts

One of Tim Peake's most recent pictures shows the Manicouagan impact crater in Canada (pictured), a ring shaped structure left by an asteroid strike around 210 million years ago

One of Tim Peake's most recent pictures shows the Manicouagan impact crater in Canada (pictured), a ring shaped structure left by an asteroid strike around 210 million years ago

This picture shows the geometric design etched into the desert of central Saudi Arabia by agricultural irrigation

This picture shows the geometric design etched into the desert of central Saudi Arabia by agricultural irrigation

This striking photograph of South Africa was taken using a special camera mounted on the outside of the space station

This striking photograph of South Africa was taken using a special camera mounted on the outside of the space station

Tim Peake captured the jade coloured water flowing off a Patagonian ice field. This glacial river eventually flows into the Lago Argentina

Tim Peake captured the jade coloured water flowing off a Patagonian ice field. This glacial river eventually flows into the Lago Argentina

'The longer you spend up here the more you discover about our own planet - the different times of day, the different phases, the different seasons.

'I'm seeing the Northern Hemisphere from space changing from winter to spring to summer, and it's the most incredible thing to see.

'The different weather systems, the ice melting in the Hudson Bay.

'The Earth reveals its secrets slowly over time, and the more you look out the window the more there is to see.' 

Jeff Willimas captured this colourful picture of the coastline of northwest Australian, revealing its unique terrain

Jeff Willimas captured this colourful picture of the coastline of northwest Australian, revealing its unique terrain

Some of the pictures reveal that it is not just Earth's landscapes that can appear stunning from orbit. In this case it is life - a swirling bloom of plankton off the coast of Patagonia, that has produced this striking image

Some of the pictures reveal that it is not just Earth's landscapes that can appear stunning from orbit. In this case it is life - a swirling bloom of plankton off the coast of Patagonia, that has produced this striking image

While the astronauts do not currently launch from the Kennedy Space Centre since the end of the shuttle programme, they still have soft spot for it in their heart. This image by Scott Kelly shows the Kennedy Space Centre from orbit

While the astronauts do not currently launch from the Kennedy Space Centre since the end of the shuttle programme, they still have soft spot for it in their heart. This image by Scott Kelly shows the Kennedy Space Centre from orbit

In this picture, dramatic cloud formations and the sun reflecting off the ocean below gives the clouds the appearance of islands in the sky

In this picture, dramatic cloud formations and the sun reflecting off the ocean below gives the clouds the appearance of islands in the sky

This picture captured by Tim Kopra shows San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge on the left

This picture captured by Tim Kopra shows San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge on the left

The towering mountains of Patagonia peak out from a sea of cloud cover in the picture above taken on 18 May

The towering mountains of Patagonia peak out from a sea of cloud cover in the picture above taken on 18 May

This enormous ice field in southern Patagonia runs into Lake Viedma. This is located at the Southern Patagonic Andes between Argentina and Chile. The picture was taken by Tim Peake

This enormous ice field in southern Patagonia runs into Lake Viedma. This is located at the Southern Patagonic Andes between Argentina and Chile. The picture was taken by Tim Peake

This strange shaped piece of land jutting out into the ocean is how Cape Cod in Massachusetts looks from 241 miles above the Earth

This strange shaped piece of land jutting out into the ocean is how Cape Cod in Massachusetts looks from 241 miles above the Earth

A large extinct volcano in the southwest African Brukkaros Mountains in Namibia is pictured above. It measures 1,590 metres at its peak

A large extinct volcano in the southwest African Brukkaros Mountains in Namibia is pictured above. It measures 1,590 metres at its peak

Looking more like fireflies, these green specks are atually the lights of fishing boats scattered across the Gulf of Thailand

Looking more like fireflies, these green specks are atually the lights of fishing boats scattered across the Gulf of Thailand

Looking down on the northern coast of Mallorca, in the Mediterranean Sea

Looking down on the northern coast of Mallorca, in the Mediterranean Sea

This picture by Tim Kopra of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, shows the wakes of boats and other vessels left in English Bay

This picture by Tim Kopra of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, shows the wakes of boats and other vessels left in English Bay

Tim Peake took this photograph from the window of the ISS showing the Soyuz space capsule in front of the island of Madagascar

Tim Peake took this photograph from the window of the ISS showing the Soyuz space capsule in front of the island of Madagascar

Tim Kopra took this photograph showing how water has etched patterns into the sands of western Mexico

Tim Kopra took this photograph showing how water has etched patterns into the sands of western Mexico

This picture shows the impact that mankind is having on the landscape, with the vast holes created by mining operations near Green Valley in Arizona gaping

This picture shows the impact that mankind is having on the landscape, with the vast holes created by mining operations near Green Valley in Arizona gaping

Aurora Australis captured on April 17. This is the southern counterpart of the Aurora Borealis and can include rarer red and blue lights

Aurora Australis captured on April 17. This is the southern counterpart of the Aurora Borealis and can include rarer red and blue lights

Pictured is an unknown Brazilian lake taken by Tim Kopra, who is serving as commander of the ISS

Pictured is an unknown Brazilian lake taken by Tim Kopra, who is serving as commander of the ISS

Expedition 47 flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko from Roscosmos is photographed in the International Space Station's Cupola module preparing to take Earth pictures using a 400 mm lens. The Cupola's 360 degree viewing platform provides optimal views of the Earth below and also contains the control mechanisms for the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm

Expedition 47 flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko from Roscosmos is photographed in the International Space Station's Cupola module preparing to take Earth pictures using a 400 mm lens. The Cupola's 360 degree viewing platform provides optimal views of the Earth below and also contains the control mechanisms for the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm

Moon horizon above Korea is seen in this stunning image. Atmospheric distortion are behind the ripples in this image

Moon horizon above Korea is seen in this stunning image. Atmospheric distortion are behind the ripples in this image

March 31, Progress 63P flying over a city in western Asia. Esa astronaut Tim Peake spotted the spacecraft exit our atmosphere and enter Earth orbit, leaving a characteristic contrail

March 31, Progress 63P flying over a city in western Asia. Esa astronaut Tim Peake spotted the spacecraft exit our atmosphere and enter Earth orbit, leaving a characteristic contrail

Movie night on the ISS. This image was taken by British astronaut, Tim Peak, who is nearing the end of his 6-month stint on the space station

Movie night on the ISS. This image was taken by British astronaut, Tim Peak, who is nearing the end of his 6-month stint on the space station

CubeSats fly free after leaving the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer on the International Space Station. Seen here are two LEMUR-2 satellites

CubeSats fly free after leaving the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer on the International Space Station. Seen here are two LEMUR-2 satellites

Soyuz 46S arriving at the International Space Station Saturday 20 March 2016

Soyuz 46S arriving at the International Space Station Saturday 20 March 2016

Astronaut Tim Peake practicing a Cygnus capture ahead of Orbital launch and rendezvous in this image

Astronaut Tim Peake practicing a Cygnus capture ahead of Orbital launch and rendezvous in this image

This image looks down, southwesterly, on Lake Erie, with Cleveland left of center. It was taken May this year, by crew on Expedition 47

This image looks down, southwesterly, on Lake Erie, with Cleveland left of center. It was taken May this year, by crew on Expedition 47

 

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