NASA astronaut captures stunning meteor explosion from ISS

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, commander of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, recently captured remarkable footage of a meteor explosion from the International Space Station. This event occurred while he was conducting a timelapse over Northern Africa, where the dark skies allowed for clear visibility of celestial phenomena. Dominick's footage reveals a bolide, an exceptionally bright meteor, streaking across the atmosphere before exploding, which he shared with friends for their insights. The timelapse was meticulously set up with a high ISO setting to capture the Milky Way Core, but this resulted in overexposure when the camera reached Cairo. Despite this, the unexpected discovery of the bolide added an exciting element to his photography. Dominick utilized a 1/2 second exposure and a 15mm lens to achieve the stunning visuals, which he later slowed down to one frame per second for better observation of the meteor's trajectory. Since launching to the ISS in March 2024, Dominick has been actively documenting his experiences and the breathtaking views from space. His previous work includes capturing Hurricane Beryl, a category 4 storm, which aids NASA in studying the effects of climate change on hurricanes. The unique perspective from the ISS is invaluable for scientists seeking to understand and prepare for natural disasters. Dominick's eagerness to learn more about meteors reflects the collaborative spirit of the scientific community, as he encourages others with expertise to share their knowledge. This incident not only showcases the beauty of our planet from space but also highlights the importance of continuous learning and sharing in the field of astronomy.