After a year in space, Scott Kelly has finally returned to Earth. Kelly's mission made history as it became the longest anyone has stayed on the International Space Station. The mission measured the risks and difficulties of longer space journeys and, interestingly, will compare Kelly's physical changes with that of his brother, Mark, who stayed on Earth.
Not only was his mission pioneering, but he brought with him some of the most incredible photos you will ever see. Social media proved to connect space with Earth, allowing Kelly to share these photos while away.
Take a moment to look at just five of the photos shared with us from this most recent space journey. It is so easy to become caught up in our daily lives. The hustle and bustle of the city streets or grueling work in the farm fields make it easy to forget the vast, stunning universe around us. These five photos remind us to stop moving for just one minute and believe in the stars, planets and beauty of everything.
1. Kelly captures Aurora lights on Aug. 15, 2015. Stars in the background illuminate the mesmerizing colors.
2. La'nga Co "lake of the demon" is a lifeless lake in Tibet. Kelly captured this photo on Jan. 9, 2016.
3. Italy and the Alps glow in the night on Jan. 26, 2016.
4. South America appears like a watercolor painting as photographed on Nov. 22, 2015.
5. A Pacific storm brews and the moon watches, looking like a tiny speck in the sky on Aug. 30, 2015.
