Room With a ViewNASA astronaut Mike Fossum gazes through a window in the "cupola"—an observation module on the International Space Station—on September 11. Earth's horizon interrupts the blackness of space at the top of the frame.With the recent return to Earth of three ISS crew members, Fossum is currently one of three people still aboard the orbiting laboratory. A new trio of spacefarers is slated to launch for the ISS on November 14, rounding out the Expedition 29 crew.(Also see "Space Station Crew Not Stranded, Despite Russian Crash.")
Photograph courtesy NASA

Space Pictures This Week: Sun Halo, Galaxy Swarm, More

Astronauts come home, colorful rings encircle the sun, galaxies gather like fireflies, and more in the week's best space pictures.

Published September 23, 2011