Many pictures have been published on the web of Earth from outer space. Astronauts often take images of Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a satellite in low Earth orbit that houses up to 15 astronauts at one time. It is used to conduct low gravity experiments, monitor Earth's weather and learn how humans and plant life survive in outer space. Using onboard cameras and other instrumentation, astronauts can image every inch of Earth as they fly by. Below is a video compilation of many images taken from the ISS from August-October of 2011. Note the beautiful aurora which forms at the top of Earth's atmosphere (defined by what looks like a thin yellow shell around Earth). You can also see city lights across all countries, and flashes of lightening within clouds.
Video credits are listed here: http://vimeo.com/32001208
Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.
