Photo: West Seattle, seen from the International Space Station

When Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted that photo today from aboard the International Space Station – two weeks after his arrival – his caption noted that you might see Pike Place Market if you look closely. Never mind the market; West Seattle’s in the heart of the photo! We wouldn’t have seen this if not for West Seattleite Bill Schrier retweeting the picture. Click here for a larger version via Twitter. (The ISS, according to this NASA webpage, is in “low Earth orbit,” more than 100 miles up, making one full orbit of Earth every hour and a half.)

Rachael January 3, 2013 (10:17 pm)

That is awesome!

Mark January 3, 2013 (10:43 pm)

Outstanding pic! NASA: Naturally Awesome Snapshots Always

nativetoseattle January 4, 2013 (7:03 am)

Beautiful shot- thanks for posting!

Skeptic January 4, 2013 (7:40 am)

There was a big fire involving multiple houses near UW that day. You can see the smoke drifting across the lake toward Mercer Is.

JordanP January 4, 2013 (7:43 am)

I thought it was, NASA: Nikon Always Shoots Amazingly

miws January 4, 2013 (8:12 am)

Way cool!

Between that, and Long Bach Nguyen’s aerial photos, we get a wonderful perspective of our peninsula, that we might not otherwise see!

Mike

DBP January 4, 2013 (9:33 am)

I can’t see Pike Place Market. However, I can see the Great Wall of China.

anti-obstruction January 4, 2013 (10:14 am)

Very cool!
One of my favorite pastimes is looking at satellite images of my hometown back in the Midwest, retracing old familiar routes and finding buildings/parks/etc…
Schmitz/Fauntleroy Creek/Lincoln/Westcrest parks are all easily spotted in this image…great observation about the smoke on Lake Washington, @Skeptic! :)