AI Insight
NASA astronaut Chris Williams captured a photograph of an orbital sunrise from the International Space Station on June 26, 2026, while the station orbited 264 miles above the Caucasus Mountains. The image shows a bright orange sunburst illuminating Earth's atmosphere. The International Space Station completes 16 orbits of Earth every 24 hours, passing through 16 sunrises and sunsets daily.
Why it matters
This image provides visual documentation of Earth's atmospheric phenomena as observed from the ISS orbital altitude. Such photographs help illustrate the unique perspective available from the orbiting laboratory and contribute to public engagement with space science.
Understand the Science
NASA astronaut Chris Williams took this photo of an orbital sunrise from the International Space Station on June 26, 2026. In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.
Learn more about the orbiting laboratory.
Image credit: NASA/Chris Williams
Source: Good Morning, Earth!