Astronauts capture terrible beauty of Hurricane Ian from International Space Station

It must be a strange feeling being up in space and witnessing potentially catastrophic events back down on planet earth. The sensations of both awe and impotence simultaneously could be enough to wreak havoc on your mental health.

So spare a thought for the astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) this week who have released stunning footage of Hurricane Ian seen from above.

#HurricaneIan is seen about 260 miles below the space station as the storm was gaining strength south of Cuba and moving toward Florida at around 3pm ET on Monday, Sept 26, 2022. pic.twitter.com/GNef1ptraA

— International Space Station (@Space_Station) September 26, 2022

Hurricane Ian is currently heading towards the Florida coast. It’s only a category 2 at the moment, however, it could still prove deadly and cause untold damage to property and serious damage to communities.

“Hurricane Ian is seen about 260 miles below the space station as the storm was gaining strength south of Cuba and moving toward Florida at around 3pm ET on Monday, September 26, 2022,” NASA said in a tweet that included the dramatic video.

Ian is expected to reach landfall on Wednesday, and due to its large size and strength, forecasters have issued advisories to anyone in its path to take safety measures and seek shelter.

Just last week astronaut Bob Hines tweeted an image of Typhoon Nanmadol from the ISS. The typhoon struck Japan and sadly claimed four lives. “It’s incredible how something that seems so beautiful from space can be so terrible on Earth,” he tweeted.

It’s incredible how something that seems so beautiful from space can be so terrible on Earth…Praying for the safety of those in the path of Typhoon Nanmadol. pic.twitter.com/4xambFgtj6

— Bob “Farmer” Hines (@Astro_FarmerBob) September 17, 2022

It is indeed strangely beautiful as seen from above. However, this rare beauty can have intensely destructive consequences. Puerto Rico is currently still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Fiona last week. Hundreds of thousands are still without power and water, and according to several reports the wind was so strong it ripped all the avocados from the trees.

Stay safe everyone!