A Sept. 20, 2026 ISS photo shows star trails over the Banda Sea, with blue fishing boat lights and yellow Indonesian city lights, captured from 258 miles altitude.

A long-exposure photo from the International Space Station on Sept. 20, 2026, captures star trails over the Banda Sea and blue lights of fishing boats and yellow city lights below.

The image was taken while the station orbited 258 miles (415 kilometres) above the Indonesian archipelago. The camera pointed toward the horizon, allowing Earth’s rotation to turn point‑sources of light into concentric arcs that stretch across the frame.

Bright blue specks trace the routes of fishing vessels that ply the Banda Sea after dark. Below them, clusters of yellow illumination mark the outlines of coastal towns and cities across Indonesia. The contrast between the artificial glow and the natural streaks of stars highlights the interplay of human activity and the planet’s nightly rotation.

Photographer Anil Menon, a NASA staff member, said the shot demonstrates how orbital perspectives can reveal patterns invisible from the ground. "From up here, the lights form a living map of the region," Menon said. "The star trails remind viewers that the planet is constantly moving beneath us."

Experts note that such images serve both scientific and public‑outreach purposes. Atmospheric scientists can use the data to study light pollution trends, while educators employ the visual to illustrate orbital mechanics and the Earth's rotation.

The ISS maintains a near‑circular orbit that completes a full revolution roughly every 90 minutes. This rapid motion causes the stars to appear as arcs when long exposures are used. The photograph’s composition aligns the ISS’s flight path with the Banda Sea, providing a rare glimpse of Indonesia’s maritime landscape bathed in night‑time illumination.

Technical details

The camera employed a 30‑second exposure at ISO 6400, with a focal length that captured a wide swath of the horizon. Post‑processing involved minimal contrast enhancement to preserve the authenticity of the light sources.

Public reaction

Social‑media users shared the image widely, commenting on the beauty of the star trails and the vividness of the coastal lights. Environmental groups highlighted the photograph as a visual reminder of the impact of night‑time lighting on marine ecosystems.