MANILA, Philippines — Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti said typhoon Maysak "commands respect even from space" as she posted images of the weather event.
Cristoforetti, who resides in the International Space Station, captured the eye of the cyclone, which was then a super typhoon, as she flew over the part of earth.
NASA astronaut Terry Virts also posted more photos of the typhoon's eye, saying it was "by far the widest one" he has seen.
The eye of #Maysak typhoon really stands out early in the morning with the shadow being cast deep into the vortex pic.twitter.com/SodkijMt7O
— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) April 1, 2015 Looking down into the eye - by far the widest one I’ve seen. It seemed like a black hole from a Sci-Fi movie #Maysak pic.twitter.com/hmdBStaY6r
— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) April 1, 2015 More views of the eye- this was about 12 hours ago at sunrise, local time. Unbelievable. #Maysak pic.twitter.com/9Z6obnSVjh
— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) April 1, 2015 He also said, "It seemed like a black hole from a sci-fi movie."
"The eye of #Maysak typhoon really stands out early in the morning with the shadow being cast deep into the vortex," Virts added.
On Thursday, Virts posted a newer photo of the typhoon as it weakened within the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
"It has lost definition since last night, almost looks like two distinct eyes," he said.
Oblique view of #typhoon #Maysak's eye. It has lost definition since last night, almost looks like 2 distinct eyes. pic.twitter.com/oi5JR2fhNY
— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) April 2, 2015