NASA astronaut captures Earth spinning at 60x speed with lightning storms, sunsets and moonlit oceans

A NASA astronaut has shared a breathtaking 60x speed time-lapse from orbit, capturing lightning storms, blazing sunsets and moonlit oceans in one sweeping view of Earth. (Image: @zenanaut/X)

• Astronaut Zena Cardman shared viral Earth timelapse from orbit
• 60x speed video captures storms, sunsets, and city lights from space
• Experts: Footage aids study of atmospheric and planetary patterns

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NASA astronaut Zena Cardman has shared a striking time lapse video of Earth filmed during SpaceX CRS-33, offering a vivid view of the planet from orbit that has quickly gone viral online.

The footage compresses hours into seconds. It runs at 60 times normal speed. Lightning flashes across vast storm systems. Sunsets flare brightly along the horizon. Stars shimmer beyond the thin atmosphere. The Moon glints against dark oceans. City lights sparkle across continents below. Clouds spiral over deep blue waters. Earth’s curvature appears sharply defined. Viewers describe the scene as humbling.

CRS-33 Mission and 60x Time Lapse

The video was recorded aboard the International Space Station. Cardman captured routine orbital movement creatively. She explained the station rarely shifts orientation dramatically. During this mission, a slow flip occurred. The station rotated before correcting itself. She called the motion an orbital cartwheel. It moved from Atlantic towards Pacific skies.

Experts say such imagery aids research. Continuous sweeping views reveal atmospheric behaviour. Lightning, air glow, sunrise and sunset appear together. Even lunar reflections shimmer across oceans. Scientists can analyse patterns not visible otherwise.

The @Space_Station rarely makes big changes to its orientation, but we were lucky to experience such maneuvers (flipping around to fly butt-first, then flipping back again) before and after each @spacex CRS-33 reboost. This 60x speed timelapse was one of my favorites since it… pic.twitter.com/7IsZnb1G7G

— Zena Cardman (@zenanaut) February 17, 2026

Zena Cardman’s Science Background and Perspective

Cardman is trained as a geobiologist. Her research studies life in extremes. She has examined deep sea vents. She has worked within Antarctic ice. That experience shapes her orbital observations. She joined NASA during 2017. She contributed to Expeditions 73 and 74.

Observers online reacted with amazement. Many remarked on Earth’s fragility. Others noted its apparent smallness. Cardman told followers it captured everything. Storms, sunlight, stars and moonlight aligned. She described it as a favourite view.

The viral clip highlights perspective from orbit. Ordinary manoeuvres appear extraordinary from space. The rotating planet seems almost tangible. The sequence underscores planetary beauty clearly. For many viewers, wonder remains undiminished.