IN PHOTOS: Nothing like 'Ompong' from outer space
MANILA, Philippines — Gregory Reid Wiseman, a US Navy commander and NASA astronaut, took a photo of super typhoon "Ompong" (international name Vongfang) from his low earth orbit on Thursday.
"I've seen many from here, but none like this," Wiseman said on his Twitter account, describing the year's strongest cyclone so far.
The image turned viral with over 7,500 retweets on the microblogging site.
#SuperTyphoon #Vongfang – I’ve seen many from here, but none like this. pic.twitter.com/i2ZwzPsJcV
— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) October 9, 2014
Wiseman has taken hundreds of photos from outer space, giving netizens a rare peak at various parts of the world from outside it.
In July, Wiseman also released a photo of super typhoon "Florita" (international name Neoguri) from the International Space Station, commenting that the menacing weather event took up astronauts' "entire view."
The enormity of Ompong, meanwhile, can also be seen in satellite images from US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and various posts from weather observers on social media, such as that of Tim, a Vine user from Russia.
Taken on October 9 at 03:55 UTC, satellite estimates indicate that #Vongfong's eye is approximately 50 miles wide. pic.twitter.com/Zm5jJMYfGj
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 9, 2014
Taken on October 9 at 03:55 UTC, satellite estimates indicate that #Vongfong's eye is approximately 50 miles wide. pic.twitter.com/iku5vnocYv
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 9, 2014
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