As NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick cruises around the International Space Station (ISS), he has been sharing fascinating photos and videos of life inside and outside the orbital outpost with his followers on X (formerly Twitter). Dominick, a seasoned astronaut, has recently announced that he will be joining fellow astronaut and photographer extraordinaire Don Pettit for a live chat about astrophotography in low-Earth orbit. The event, taking place on July 24 at 4:05 pm ET, will air on X and is set to be an insider’s look into the world of capturing breathtaking images from space.
For those who may not know, Don Pettit is NASA’s oldest active astronaut, set to make his fourth trip to orbit in September. Throughout his illustrious career, Pettit has built a reputation for producing stunning images from space, earning him the title of photographer extraordinaire. His creative eye and keen sense of composition have resulted in incredible images that showcase the beauty of our planet and the wonders of the cosmos.
Dominick revealed that Pettit was assigned as his mentor when he first became an astronaut, sharing his photography skills with him ahead of his first trip to the ISS. This mentorship proved to be invaluable, as Pettit’s guidance allowed Dominick to capture stunning images during his stay on the station.
Pettit’s camera prowess is evident in the many images he has shared from space. For instance, his photo of star trails, Earth, and a part of the ISS is a testament to his creative eye. The image showcases the passage of time, with the passing of stars in the background and the arcing curvature of the Earth’s atmosphere in the foreground. This photo is just one example of the incredible work that Pettit has produced during his time on the ISS.
Another standout image is a self-portrait taken inside the station’s seven-window Cupola module. Using a flashlight, Pettit captured this moment as he set up for a night pass of imagery. The resulting image showcases Pettit’s attention to detail and artistic flair, as he reflects on the reflections within the Cupola.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick1
Pettit’s images are not only visually stunning but also have a scientific angle to them. For example, his long exposure photo taken from the ISS using a fisheye lens shows four small lines made by cosmic rays striking the camera sensor. These lines, which Pettit notes appear every 8-12,000 photos, are a testament to the station’s unique ability to capture the effects of high-energy cosmic particles on Earth’s atmosphere.
In addition to showcasing his photography skills, Pettit has also shared images of the tools and equipment used by astronauts to document their experiences. For instance, he took a photo of his Nikon D3S camera, with an 8mm f2.8 fisheye lens, showing Earth’s reflection in the lens. This image highlights the importance of the tools used by astronauts to capture memories of their time in space.
As Pettit prepares for his next mission later this year, there is no doubt that he will continue to produce incredible images that inspire and awe. The upcoming chat with Matthew Dominick on X will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about Pettit’s photography techniques and experiences on the ISS. Whether you are an amateur photographer or simply interested in the wonders of space, this event is not to be missed. Join the conversation and get a Look into the world of astrophotography from a truly unique perspective.
