First sunrise of 2026 seen from space: ISS captures Earth’s new year dawn

First Sunrise of 2026 Captured From Space Above Earth (Image: @Astro_Naoko/X)

• Former Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki shared rare images of the first sunrise of 2026 as seen from the International Space Station, captured by astronaut Kimiya Yui during his long-duration mission. While people on Earth marked the New Year with celebrations, the ISS witnessed the moment from orbit, highlighting the station’s unique perspective as it circles Earth every 90 minutes and experiences multiple sunrises each day.

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As the world welcomed 2026 with celebrations below, the year’s first sunrise appeared quietly above Earth, captured from the International Space Station and shared publicly by a former Japanese astronaut.

Former astronaut Naoko Yamazaki posted images on X showing the earliest sunlight of 2026 seen from orbit. The photographs revealed daylight slowly touching Earth’s curved horizon far above national borders. Yamazaki said the images were received from an astronaut currently stationed aboard the ISS. She explained the pictures came from Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui during his ongoing long-duration mission.

While cities marked midnight with fireworks, prayers and gatherings, the moment unfolded silently in space. The sunrise occurred at 00:38 Japan Standard Time, according to Yamazaki’s post. She wished people peace and happiness throughout the coming year. Her message reflected hope shared widely during global New Year celebrations.

The first sunrise seen from ISS at 00:38 JST. May 2026 be filled with happiness and peace! 2026年宇宙からの初日の出🌅#KIBO宇宙放送局@KIBO_SPACE にてISS滞在中の油井飛行士と繋いで中継しました。新年が皆様にとり平和で幸多き年になりますように🎍 pic.twitter.com/1woSkq60zw

— Naoko Yamazaki 山崎直子 (@Astro_Naoko) January 1, 2026

Astronaut Perspective From the International Space Station

Kimiya Yui is part of Expedition 74 aboard the ISS. He returned to space in 2025 for his second mission. The station orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes at remarkable speed. It travels close to 28,000 kilometres per hour during continuous orbital motion. Because of this pace, astronauts experience multiple sunrises each day.

Crew members typically witness about 16 sunrises within every 24-hour period. These repeated transitions offer a rare perspective unavailable from Earth’s surface. The New Year sunrise carried special significance despite being one of many seen daily. From orbit, time is measured differently, yet symbolic moments still resonate deeply.

New Year Celebrations Continue Across Earth

Across the planet, communities marked the New Year with longstanding traditions. In Tokyo, worshippers gathered at Zojoji Buddhist temple after midnight. A giant bell was struck to welcome 2026 according to custom. Visitors burned old resolutions as part of ritual observances.

Elsewhere, fireworks lit skies and crowds shared countdowns together. The contrast between celebrations below and silence above highlighted humanity’s shared moment. From space, borders disappeared while Earth glowed softly beneath sunrise. The images offered a reminder of perspective as another year began quietly overhead.