ISS light trail, time-exposure image. This streak of light was formed as the International Space Station (ISS) passed from left to right across the ni

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ISS light trail, time-exposure image. This streak of light was formed as the International Space Station (ISS) passed from left to right across the night sky. The exposure time was 20 seconds. The ISS orbits the Earth at a height of around 360 kilometres. It can be seen in the night sky with the naked eye, and takes 92 minutes to orbit the Earth. The ISS has been crewed since October 2000. It is still being constructed, and is scheduled for completion in 2010. This image was taken on 4 September 2005, as the ISS passed over Germany, and through the constellations of Lyra (right) and Cygnus (left). The bright star halfway along, and below, the light trail, is Vega.

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Size: 3000px × 2250px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 2005, 21st, american, astronomical, astronomy, century, cygnus, earth, esa, europe, european, german, germany, international, iss, japan, light, lyra, manned, nasa, nasda, night, orbit, orbiting, russia, satellite, september, sky, space, spacecraft, spaceflight, stars, station, time-exposure, trail