NASA captures total solar eclipse from outer space

yesterday, august 21, 2017, all of north america was treated to a total solar eclipse and now that it’s over, it’s time to be delighted with its stunning scenes. from images captured by NASA, the solar dynamics observatory and the astronauts aboard the international space station, we have gathered a special visual collection of how the eclipse was seen from outer space.

moon’s shadow moving from coast to coast

NASA not only transmitted live the eclipse but it’s also treating viewers around the world with an abundance of images captured before, during, and after the eclipse from spacecrafts, aircrafts, high altitude balloons and the international space station. thanks to their different locations, each one offers a unique point of view and tells a different story of the celestial event. in some, you can even see the international space station traveling around the sun — to see it, just spot the little ‘H’ moving.

‘voila! the #eclipse2017 shadow from the ISS, no words needed’ – tweet by paolo nespoli, italian astronaut
image by paolo nespoli / NASA

a dark spot appears on north america
image by paolo nespoli / NASA

total eclipse viewed from nasa’s gulfstream III aircraft
image by NASA

made from seven frames, this image shows the international space station, with a crew of six onboard
image by joel kowsky / NASA

bailey’s beads effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun
image by aubrey gemignani / NASA

the sun seconds before the moon covers it completely 
image by aubrey gemignani / NASA

the diamond ring effect
image by mediapunch / BACKGRID

transit of space station during the 2017 total solar eclipse

moon transiting across the sun
image by solar dynamics observatory

moon transiting across the sun
image by solar dynamics observatory