NASA's Best Earth-from-Space Photos by Astronauts in 2017 (Gallery)

Cosmoledo Atoll in Seychelles

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

In the Seychelles Islands, the Cosmoledo Atoll offers stunningly blue waters.

Namib Desert in Namibia

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

Astronauts captured this extraordinary image of the Namib Desert in Namibia, the oldest coastal desert in the world.

Kazakhstan's Lake Alakol with Ice

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

In Kazakhstan, Lake Alakol is covered with a layer of wintery white ice.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

Hawaii's Mauna Loa sports a coat of snow.

Aurora Borealis over Canada

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

The aurora borealis glows with an eerie yet beautiful green over Canada

Fending Off the Wind on the Steppe in Russia

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

Across the steppes of southern Russia, a series of parallel lines create a windbreak. The shelterbelt protects crops from wind blowing across the steppe.

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Christine Lunsford
Producer and Contributing Writer

Christine Lunsford joined the Space.com team in 2010 as a freelance producer and later became a contributing writer, covering astrophotography images, astronomy photos and amazing space galleries and more. During her more than 10 years with Space.com, oversaw the site's monthly skywatching updates and produced overnight features and stories on the latest space discoveries. She enjoys learning about subjects of all kinds.