ISS Time-Lapse Video: The Milky Way And Storms Over Africa (VIDEO)

The view from the International Space Station never ceases to amaze.

After all, at about 240 miles above, and orbiting at the Earth roughly 17,000 miles per hour, it offers a rare and spectacular view of the home planet.

A recent time-lapse video composed of a series of photos taken by the Expedition 30 crew on Dec. 29, 2011, shows Mother Earth in all her glory.

According to the NASA-Johnson Space Center, the video starts as the ISS passes over southeastern Niger in central Africa and continues to the Indian Ocean, southeast of Madagascar.

As the space station passes over Africa, lightning can be seen on the ground and the Milky Way looms on the horizon. The sun is beginning to rise over the Indian Ocean just as the video ends.

To give you an idea of how fast the ISS travels, the pictures in the video were taken over only a 20-minute period.

We had trouble seeing it, but NASA insists that the Lovejoy Comet is visible near the Milky Way. Let us know in the comments if you're able to spot it.

And if you're itching for more time-lapse videos from space, check out HuffPost's collection of 2011 space and sky videos.

WATCH: Video at top.

Comments

[celestialwinds]

05:00 PM on 01/27/2012

Truly the ISS has captured some spectacular images and a unique set of events.With the brilliant Milky Way slowly spreading against the night sky, we first are bedazzled by nature's awesome powers in massive thunderstorms lighting up details of Africa's land and lakes.As we make out signs of civilization in the darkness, our nearest star is rising over a restless earth below. However, what makes this celestial feast and earthly delight so remarkable is the comet which literally kissed the sun after its journey from the darkness and beat the odds. We catch a glimpse of it returning to soar among a whole galaxy of stars a winner.It's as if some conductor timed it all perfectly for us. Then added one human for the right name to inspire people to believe in the impossible no matter how bad the storms of life get.Thanks NASA for helping inspire the rest of us.

[DoctorFred]

02:04 PM on 01/23/2012

Nice, but I'll bet it looks a lot better in person.

[fishnetdiver]

03:58 AM on 01/23/2012

Dear science,
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Mankind

[maslin]

10:54 PM on 01/22/2012

I love this stuff. Incredible.

[Robert Fanney]

10:50 PM on 01/22/2012

Spectacular! A treasure that space program. A real shame we seem to have lost our way with it. Best hopes for a renewed American space program.

[ianmko]

01:31 PM on 01/21/2012

What is the red haze at the beginning of the film? The ionosphere?

[Robert Fanney]

10:50 PM on 01/22/2012

That's the false dawn.

[ms.understood]

10:54 PM on 01/20/2012

this is amazing!

[Retromancer]

09:11 PM on 01/20/2012

Every time I watch space footage of any kind, even if it's "How the Universe Works" on the Science Channel, I am completely captivated and awestruck.

[Claudia L]

08:28 AM on 01/21/2012

Out of all the time and all the space in the universe that we share this minute together is a rare honor.

[kalima1]

08:07 PM on 01/20/2012

awesome, amazing, incredible doesn't even begin to describe this sight...

[UtahLiberal45]

07:02 PM on 01/20/2012

Awesome. Lovejoy is seen at about 12 sec into video, top center of screen to right of the dark area of the Milkey Way, it a long streak pointing away from sun. Thanks NASA, you are the best.

[AuntieBigDigs59]

08:24 PM on 01/20/2012

Thanks for the comet spot..I thought that was were is was ,lol But thanks for sharing it...

[inLA]

06:27 PM on 01/20/2012

Whoa.

It's almost too much to think of hurtling through space on this swirling ball.

Copernicus would love it.

[Tim Chezbore]

06:13 PM on 01/20/2012

That was 23 secs of pure awesomeness!! Thanks!!

[Dundidit]

05:43 PM on 01/20/2012

I almost feel bad for listening to Toto while watching this. Almost.

[kareemachan]

04:15 PM on 01/22/2012

I like that song.

[Lights In The Dark]

05:34 PM on 01/20/2012

In which I answer some questions regarding this footage: http://wp.me/pru7J-12S

Thanks to HuffPo for sharing this!

[Chef Gregory]

05:17 PM on 01/20/2012

Lovejoy comet long streak parallel to the right side of Milky way, 1/2 way through the overflight. Most sublime.
I saw an earth is flat type comment about how its all a waste of money. Use your cell phone, go on the computer, drive your car, cook your food, anything you use in microelectronics comes from our space projects developments and experiments. Same type of people that think we never landed on the moon. We are going there and beyond with or without their permission. Yoda says; "back to their caves they should go" If their happy with stone tools and wood carts drawn by horses, its their prerogative.

[tcburch]

05:32 PM on 01/20/2012

Well said...