ALT The clear blue waters off the coast of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera—part of which is visible at lower right—reveal sandbars and submerged dunes rippling across the seafloor shaped by currents and waves in the western Atlantic. The International Space Station was orbiting 260 miles above Earth when this photograph was taken.
ALT The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, separates mainland Mexico from the Baja California Peninsula in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above California. Geologically, it is Earth’s youngest sea, formed around 5 million years ago due to tectonic activity. In 2005, the Gulf was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique oceanographic processes and extraordinary biodiversity.
ALT The Kelantan River flows through one of Malaysia’s most densely populated floodplains before emptying into the South China Sea. On its eastern bank, where the river meets the sea, lies Kota Bharu, a city founded in the late 19th century and home to approximately 570,000 people. This photograph was taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above Earth.
ALT Pyramid Lake, located northeast of Reno, Nevada, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 265 miles above North America. Surrounded by dramatic desert terrain, the lake is a popular destination for fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
