NASA photos of PH from space resurface, go viral online

A decade-old image of the Philippines taken from space is drawing renewed attention online after a viral post highlighted a rare, clear view of Luzon from orbit—amid growing public interest in space missions such as NASA’s Artemis II.

The photo, widely shared on social media, was originally captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during Expedition 23 in 2010.

Luzon from orbit

Identified as ISS023-E-35961, the image was taken on May 9, 2010, from an altitude of about 346 kilometers above Earth, according to NASA’s Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.

It shows Luzon and surrounding waters—including the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea—with relatively low cloud cover, allowing a clearer view of the island.

NASA data indicates the image was taken using a digital camera aboard the ISS as part of its Earth observation program, which documents different regions of the planet from orbit.

Not the only images

The viral post also noted that the Philippines has been photographed multiple times from space over the years.

NASA’s archives include several images of the country, including views of Metro Manila and other regions captured during various ISS expeditions for scientific and observational purposes.

These images form part of ongoing efforts to document Earth’s surface, helping scientists study geography, urban development, and environmental conditions.

Artemis II fuels interest

The resurfacing of the image comes as NASA pushes forward with Artemis II, its first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission fired up the Orion capsule’s engine on April 2, departing Earth orbit and beginning their journey toward the Moon.

It marks the first crewed lunar flyby mission in more than 50 years and the inaugural crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket.

The roughly 10-day Artemis II mission is designed to pave the way for future lunar landings later this decade.

As of Monday, the crew had reached their farthest distance from Earth, entering the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence and preparing to pass over the lunar far side.

Artemis II will be followed by Artemis III, which aims to carry out a crewed lunar landing with the help of a human landing system.

Subsequent missions, including Artemis IV, are expected to expand sustained human presence around the Moon.—MCG, GMA News