iss073e0532039 (July 1, 2025) --- NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured this image of lightning orbiting aboard the International Space Station more than 250 miles above Milan, Italy. Storm observations from space station help scientists study Earth’s upper atmosphere, which can improve weather models and protect communication systems and aircraft.

iss073e0566536 (July 28, 2025) --- Lightning strikes illuminate the stormy cloud tops above the Democratic Republic of the Congo in this photograph, taken at approximately 9:58 p.m. local time from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above Earth.