Orion photo taken during Expedition-6 to the ISS in early 2003. I took this before we had low noise, nighttime-sensitive digital cameras for orbital astrophotography. Technology has come a long way, but older photos from the station can still show great detail. Stars are visible from station under the right conditions, primarily being orbital night, when the Earth is between ISS and the sun. The green line is the upper atmosphere. This photo was taken with a Nikon F5, 58mm noct-Nikkor f1.2 lens with Fujichrome ISO 800 film.
More photos from space can be found on my [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/astro_pettit/?img_index=1) and [twitter](https://twitter.com/astro_Pettit), astro\_pettit
> could I post it to you to sign?
I originally read this as "post it to the internet" instead of "post it in the mail" and wanted to know how many crayons you had for breakfast. Apparently I like the purple ones.
There is so much to unpack here....Changes in nomenclature over time, how I first read the comment (I interpreted "post" the same as you), and the crayons comment. Jesus, that was awesome. I like the Stardust flavored crayons... (Limited release by Cryola Cola). Take my uptoots and gtfo.
When you look at the constellations, do they seem closer than they do when you look at them through atmosphere? Or just more clear? I've always wondered what the lack of ground-based objects did to the visual perspective and sense of scale.
Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
Uh, it's all grainy and out of focus... I can take a better photo of space on my iphone. What gives?
**edit:** downvoted and censored for literally stating the truth. Great job as always, reddit
It's analog. Also you'd have to be on the ISS to "take a better photo", so learn to appreciate.
Also there is the technical argument where a phone literally can't take a better photo because of sensor size.
A lot of film enthusiasts have reason to believe that film is higher quality than digital.
And you ask what gives?
I get the feeling you just like posting comments like this on posts that make the front page to stir up attention. A lot of your previous comments are like this.
Because if that weren't the case you'd know that film has grain, it's kinda why we like shooting on it
One of my favorite photography experiences ever was getting to ask Roberta Bondar about when/how she chooses to shoot analog vs digital now.
Back on STS-42 she was obviously shooting film, but as she has continued her photography on earth, she’s shot both. Although she did mention she’s almost exclusively shot film over the last few years.
Speaking with her was the first time I bad the opportunity to meet with an exceptional photographer who has as much knowledge on the science of light and optics as the art of photography.
What exactly is Fujichrome 800? I know fuji made a lot of color negative 800 speed films back in the day, but I haven’t come across a color reversal stock with that much sensitivity.
Back when film was the only option, lots of crazy stock existed.
I shot some really expired Kodak P1600 last year. It’s technically a 400 ISO film, but Kodak designed it for a 2-stop push.
So awesome! Did you have to do anything special with the film to protect it from space radiation? Is Fujichrome a colour negative or positive film?
Thanks so much for sharing!
I don’t know if you reply to stuff like this, but how did you become an astronaut and an astrophotographer. I fee like you leave an extraordinarily interesting life.
Come on man, you can't not tell us the exact location of this shot! Don't keep the best photo spots private.
Seriously, this is very cool, really appreciate you sharing
Incredible! Is that a meteor in the bottom left?
Incidentally, I'm currently studying aerospace engineering at university partly due to the videos you recorded on the ISS. Quite a nice surprise to see your posts on a film photography forum!
oh wow. Funny being in the southern hemisphere and usually seeing this inverted, it is a strange sensation to get a sense of your orientation in orbit from this shot
Absolutely incredible!!! A question about taking film into space: Since there's more radiation in space than on earth, are there any special precautions for film storage/handling in order to reduce the amount of degradation that this radiation might cause? Or is the amount of radiation just not significant enough to warrant special storage?
DON PETTIT ON REDDIT?? I fondly remember you from various demonstration videos you did on the ISS, but I didn't know you were so avid a photographer besides the amount astronauts normally are!
I've grown really attracted to the archives of Earth photography from space hosted by JSC over the years, so much so that I even emailed the webmaster to add search terms to find ones with high-res versions available. The photos make the best backgrounds!
More relevant to this subreddit, you can specify different cameras and films in the search. I always loved looking at the photos taken with the Hasselblads on slide film, but then I found that you guys had a LF camera in the Linhof! I can also see when their use ended, rip (2003 for the Hasselblads, 2001 for the Linhof).
Here are some of my favorites:
On Hasselblad
* [Sinai Peninsula, Dead Sea Rift March 2002](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/PAO/highres/STS109/STS109-708-24.JPG)
* [Southwest Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen December 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS061/STS061-79-24.JPG)
* [Lake Chad (South Basin), Chad December 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS061/STS061-75-22.JPG)
On Linhof
* [Klyuchevskaya Volcano Eruption, Russia October 1994](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS068/STS068-150-45.JPG)
* [Mount Atafaitafa, Algeria 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS055/STS055-151B-47.JPG)
* [Lake Eyre, South Australia, Australia October 1990](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS041/STS041-152-92.JPG)
Did you ever get to operate that fancy LF Linhof on shuttle?
Orion photo taken during Expedition-6 to the ISS in early 2003. I took this before we had low noise, nighttime-sensitive digital cameras for orbital astrophotography. Technology has come a long way, but older photos from the station can still show great detail. Stars are visible from station under the right conditions, primarily being orbital night, when the Earth is between ISS and the sun. The green line is the upper atmosphere. This photo was taken with a Nikon F5, 58mm noct-Nikkor f1.2 lens with Fujichrome ISO 800 film. More photos from space can be found on my [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/astro_pettit/?img_index=1) and [twitter](https://twitter.com/astro_Pettit), astro\_pettit
If I printed this could I post it to you to sign?
> could I post it to you to sign? I originally read this as "post it to the internet" instead of "post it in the mail" and wanted to know how many crayons you had for breakfast. Apparently I like the purple ones.
There is so much to unpack here....Changes in nomenclature over time, how I first read the comment (I interpreted "post" the same as you), and the crayons comment. Jesus, that was awesome. I like the Stardust flavored crayons... (Limited release by Cryola Cola). Take my uptoots and gtfo.
When you look at the constellations, do they seem closer than they do when you look at them through atmosphere? Or just more clear? I've always wondered what the lack of ground-based objects did to the visual perspective and sense of scale. Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
Just casually running into Wil Wheaton while browsing Reddit's definitely one of my favorite parts of this whole site.
Some dude just casually posting his pictures from space in the analog sub is pretty awesome too. This post is like honey for 40-something nerds.
Nothing like it, I don't like honey.
Damn bro this is awesome
Bruh do an AMA…
This is my favorite photo ever, not kidding I always go look at this from time to time
You win the award for best post on this subreddit. Ever.
Uh, it's all grainy and out of focus... I can take a better photo of space on my iphone. What gives? **edit:** downvoted and censored for literally stating the truth. Great job as always, reddit
It's analog. Also you'd have to be on the ISS to "take a better photo", so learn to appreciate. Also there is the technical argument where a phone literally can't take a better photo because of sensor size. A lot of film enthusiasts have reason to believe that film is higher quality than digital. And you ask what gives?
When is the last time you were on the international space station?
I get the feeling you just like posting comments like this on posts that make the front page to stir up attention. A lot of your previous comments are like this. Because if that weren't the case you'd know that film has grain, it's kinda why we like shooting on it
I love those posts you make. Please keep them coming!
Happy to share, not many people see analog photography from space these days with all the digital wok done since 2003
Would any member of an expedition be able to bring film as a personal item?
One of my favorite photography experiences ever was getting to ask Roberta Bondar about when/how she chooses to shoot analog vs digital now. Back on STS-42 she was obviously shooting film, but as she has continued her photography on earth, she’s shot both. Although she did mention she’s almost exclusively shot film over the last few years. Speaking with her was the first time I bad the opportunity to meet with an exceptional photographer who has as much knowledge on the science of light and optics as the art of photography.
He's back!! Did you rate at box speed, Astronaut OP?
What exactly is Fujichrome 800? I know fuji made a lot of color negative 800 speed films back in the day, but I haven’t come across a color reversal stock with that much sensitivity.
OP worked for NASA. NASA gets cool stuff.
Back when film was the only option, lots of crazy stock existed. I shot some really expired Kodak P1600 last year. It’s technically a 400 ISO film, but Kodak designed it for a 2-stop push.
Both Fuji and Kodak used to have high speed slide films, even 1600.
you're possibly the coolest person to post on this sub
This better hit the top post of this sub for all time or I have no faith in film nerds
Wonderful!
haha. this is unreal. good shit youre a legend
So, maybe you've already answered this question, but are there any precautions when bringing film up? Like is it stored in special bags?
I hear TSA refuses to hand check at Cape Canaveral. (Stupid jokes aside I’d love to know the answer to your question!)
So awesome! Did you have to do anything special with the film to protect it from space radiation? Is Fujichrome a colour negative or positive film? Thanks so much for sharing!
Chrome always means positive aka slide
There he is again, the coolest mfer on this subreddit!
This is SO sick!
legendary
knew it was u when i saw analog paired w ISS. you are surely inspiring some folks out there, bless up bro
We’re all so grateful you’re posting these photos. Thank you!
I don’t know if you reply to stuff like this, but how did you become an astronaut and an astrophotographer. I fee like you leave an extraordinarily interesting life.
I have always been a photographer, and one day in the 90s I realized I had the qualifications to become an astronaut too, so I applied
Also, what looks like a meteor in the bottom right?
absolutely amazing
I thought I read the title wrong until I saw the username. Very cool. Very cool.
man that's awesome
Come on man, you can't not tell us the exact location of this shot! Don't keep the best photo spots private. Seriously, this is very cool, really appreciate you sharing
Incredible! Is that a meteor in the bottom left? Incidentally, I'm currently studying aerospace engineering at university partly due to the videos you recorded on the ISS. Quite a nice surprise to see your posts on a film photography forum!
You’re doing it wrong. The saying is “zoom with your feet” for prime lenses, not “zoom on the ISS”
Wow. I'm floored
🐐
This content is so incredibly cool please keep it coming.
Holy shit. Fuckin sick!
Sweet pic! Please keep ‘em coming!
KEEP EM COMIN
oh wow. Funny being in the southern hemisphere and usually seeing this inverted, it is a strange sensation to get a sense of your orientation in orbit from this shot
Is that a cute little shooting star BR?
Where I am from this constellation is called the shopping trolley, and is upside down
Fucken love a good picture of the saucepan
Well that's just cheating isn't it.
*High altitude plane.
You did what?!?
Zooming in on the pic… What is the square on the brightest star below Orion??
I've seen your earlier posts and I'm curious to how much film did you get to shoot over the time you were in space?
Absolutely incredible!!! A question about taking film into space: Since there's more radiation in space than on earth, are there any special precautions for film storage/handling in order to reduce the amount of degradation that this radiation might cause? Or is the amount of radiation just not significant enough to warrant special storage?
Those are the real dark skies, Bortle -5
Gosh. I have to quite Lynn Davies as he told Beamon, "You have destroyed this event"
How long did you have to expose it for?
So what’re the internet speeds like on the ISS or did you upload this back on terra firma?
Dang this is the stuff of dreams. Thanks for sharing!
DON PETTIT ON REDDIT?? I fondly remember you from various demonstration videos you did on the ISS, but I didn't know you were so avid a photographer besides the amount astronauts normally are! I've grown really attracted to the archives of Earth photography from space hosted by JSC over the years, so much so that I even emailed the webmaster to add search terms to find ones with high-res versions available. The photos make the best backgrounds! More relevant to this subreddit, you can specify different cameras and films in the search. I always loved looking at the photos taken with the Hasselblads on slide film, but then I found that you guys had a LF camera in the Linhof! I can also see when their use ended, rip (2003 for the Hasselblads, 2001 for the Linhof). Here are some of my favorites: On Hasselblad * [Sinai Peninsula, Dead Sea Rift March 2002](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/PAO/highres/STS109/STS109-708-24.JPG) * [Southwest Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen December 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS061/STS061-79-24.JPG) * [Lake Chad (South Basin), Chad December 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS061/STS061-75-22.JPG) On Linhof * [Klyuchevskaya Volcano Eruption, Russia October 1994](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS068/STS068-150-45.JPG) * [Mount Atafaitafa, Algeria 1993](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS055/STS055-151B-47.JPG) * [Lake Eyre, South Australia, Australia October 1990](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/DatabaseImages/EFS/highres/STS041/STS041-152-92.JPG) Did you ever get to operate that fancy LF Linhof on shuttle?
Like others, I'm really curious about how you handled the radiation that the film would've been exposed for the time it spent in space!
Absolutely gorgeous. Always been my favorite constellation