Space Shuttle SilhouetteFebruary 9, 2010—The space shuttle Endeavour glides past Earth's atmosphere, as seen in an astronaut's picture taken aboard the International Space Station.

The unique photograph shows the shuttle against Earth's limb, or apparent edge, and captures the layers of the atmosphere in various hues. The shot was taken just before the shuttle docked with the space station at 12:06 p.m. ET to begin Endeavour's current, 13-day mission.

Photograph courtesy NASA

Space Photos This Week: Shuttle View, Star Birth, More

Astronauts see the space shuttle approach, telescopes explore the mysteries of star birth, a satellite spies a Caribbean volcano's plume, and more in our selection of the week's best space pictures.

February 18, 2010