Astounding Photos of Two Galaxies Captured by Astronaut Aboard SpaceX Capsule

 

NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit Captures Stunning Space Images with Homemade Star Tracker

Donald Pettit, one of NASA's most experienced astronauts, has taken astrophotography to a new level with his breathtaking images of the nearby universe. Using a star tracker he ingeniously crafted by hand, Pettit has captured some of the clearest photos of the cosmos, which he shared on X (formerly Twitter). These extraordinary shots are not only a testament to his expertise but have also been recognized among 2024’s best space photographs.

Remarkable Images from SpaceX Crew Dragon and the ISS

Pettit’s photographs were taken from a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked to the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbited above the Pacific Ocean. The images vividly display the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way located 160,000 and 200,000 light-years away, respectively.

“You can see stars in space! I used a homemade tracking device for the long exposures needed to capture these star fields,” Pettit shared in a post on December 5. His ingenious star tracker compensates for the ISS’s motion, allowing for long exposures that produce crystal-clear images of celestial bodies.

Insights into the Magellanic Clouds

The Magellanic Clouds, featured prominently in Pettit’s images, are valuable “natural laboratories” for studying phenomena like supernovae and star formation. The Large Magellanic Cloud contains around 30 billion stars, while the Small Magellanic Cloud has about 3 billion. These galaxies are essential for improving our understanding of cosmic distances, as their Cepheid variable stars serve as "standard candles" to measure intergalactic distances and map the expansion of the universe.

Supernova 1987A, observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud, remains a critical source of data for studying the life and death of stars. Experts note that the gravitational interactions between these galaxies and the Milky Way significantly influence their structure and evolution.

Advanced Astrophotography Techniques

In another post shared on December 13, Pettit delighted space enthusiasts with an even clearer view of the Magellanic Clouds. He described the reddish-orange glow of the Earth's upper atmosphere, known as the F-region, visible at the bottom of the image. Using his custom tracker, Pettit achieved long exposures of up to 30 seconds, ensuring that stars appeared sharp and not as streaks.

Astrophotography from the ISS offers unparalleled clarity due to the absence of light pollution in space. Pettit’s work demonstrates how innovative tools like his homemade tracker can push the boundaries of space photography, providing new insights into the universe.

A Legacy of Exploration

At 69 years old, Pettit is one of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, with over 370 days of spaceflight experience. His passion for astrophotography and innovation has inspired countless individuals to look to the stars. Through his captivating images, Pettit continues to deepen our understanding of the cosmos and ignite curiosity about the universe’s vast wonders.

Stay tuned as we uncover more insights into this evolving story.