Photos: Exquisite Star Trails Captured by Astronaut Don Pettit

Star Trails Seen from the ISS #3

NASA

The International Space Station can be seen in the foreground of this picture, which shows the interesting pattern of star trails in the evening sky.

Star Trails Seen from the ISS #4

NASA

The slightly blurred bands of light are the trails of stars that were captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit from aboard the International Space Station.

Star Trails Seen from the ISS #5

NASA

NASA astronaut Don Pettit photographed these star trails from the International Space Station. Full Story.

Iridium Satellite Flash and Star Trails

Don Pettit (via Twitter as @astro_Pettit)

Astronaut Don Pettit tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on March 20, 2012, and noted, "Iridium satellite flash in multiple time exposures."

ISS Port Truss and Solar Panels with Star Trails

Don Pettit

Astronaut Don Pettit posted this image on his blog March 26, 2012. He wrote: "This picture was taken pointing to port, so it shows the end of the port truss with solar panels. Click on the images to see them larger."

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.