• Science
  • Space

This Astronaut’s Photos of Earth Look Like Beautiful Abstract Paintings

Harsh land. Windswept valleys in northern #Africa
"Harsh land. Windswept valleys in northern #Africa"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 6, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
Land use in South Africa, you can see where water is.
"Land use in South Africa, you can see where water is."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 9, 2014.Alexander Gerst—ESA
Irrigation in the #Sahara #Desert looks like a challenging task from up here... #BlueDot
"Irrigation in the #Sahara #Desert looks like a challenging task from up here... #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 28, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert
"An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
An open history book of our planet: the # Sahara Desert
"An open history book of our planet: the # Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA
Close-up of gigantic Salar of Uyuni in Bolivia. You can even see the salt fields and the 'Cactus Island'
"Close-up of gigantic Salar of Uyuni in Bolivia. You can even see the salt fields and the 'Cactus Island'."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 15, 2014.Alexander Gerst—ESA
The #Moon was still behind the horizon. A #FataMorgana of atmospherical refraction #BlueDot
"The #Moon was still behind the horizon. A #FataMorgana of atmospherical refraction #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 14, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA
When I took this photo, I was sure these are clouds. But now I'm not so sure... #BlueDot
"When I took this photo, I was sure these are clouds. But now I'm not so sure... #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 7, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
Nasa: Astronaut Alexander Gerst pictures
"Probably a river in Kazakhstan or slightly west of it."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 29, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA
An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert
"An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
Human-made fires in East Africa. Can you spot them?
"Human-made fires in East Africa. Can you spot them?"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 9, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com