Spring dolls in the Northern Hemisphere, and the full flower moon attended the seasonal celebrations on May 12. Skywatchers on Earth were treated on a glowing light slice. NASA -astronaut Nichole Ayers enjoyed the view from another vantage point – far up the International Space Station.
Ayers shared three images of the moon with full strength.
“I am still awe of our views on the world and beyond,” she said at X. “Today was the flower moon and it didn’t disappoint!”
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This view from ISS shows the full flower moon in perspective with the ground.
The first image contains our Blue Planet described with clouds. The moon hovers in the corner with the dark Mary (Latin for “sea”) influence basins that extend like shadows over its surface. It is a poetic image that highlights the close relationship between Earth and its only natural satellite.
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Parts of the International Space Station Photoomed this scenic photo of the Earth with full moon, which appears as a small dot near the center.
Ayers’ next photo tells another story. The moon is a small dot under a reverse earth filled with clouds. Parts of the space station protrude from the bottom of the view.
It shows how direction does not mean much on the ISS. Earth may be above or below you depending on your chosen perspective in orbit.
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The distant glow in the dark of the room is the full flower moon. Earth’s water and clouds are below.
The last shot is an ode to distance. The moon orbits on average approx. 239,000 miles from Earth. It looks just as far away in the picture. Our planet is a watery, cloudy hulk with the beautiful full moon that shines like a remote guy.
Ayers is part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission that arrived in the ISS in March to relieve the so-called “Stranded Astronaut’s” Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore. This is Ayers’ first visit to ISS.
Ayers has dedicated some of her public outreach efforts to astrophotography. The moon’s photos show her artistic eye.
“These were shot from a few different lenses to perspective,” she said. “I love how you can see texture in the clouds and on the moon itself.”
May Full Moon is known by “Flower Moon” nickname.
“Many cultures refer to May’s full moon as flower moon thanks to the abundant flowering that occurs when spring comes properly,” the Royal Museum’s Greenwich said in an explanatory. “Other names include Hare Moon, Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon.”
Ayers’ view of the full moon brings the astronaut’s perspective on the heavenly show to us on Earth. It is a beauty, whether you are down to earth or up in orbit.