Spectacular photo of UK 'weather bomb' taken from space

Courtesy Terry W. Virts/NASA

Monday, December 15, 2014, 3:07 PM - There's no shortage of magnificent scenery in outer space.

NASA astronaut Terry W. Virts captured an amazing scene from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) last week.  

Luck - and timing - had a lot to do with it.

The photo captured a major storm igniting across the United Kingdom.  The intense visuals were enhanced by a rare electrical phenomenon known as aurora - created by the unusual combination of charged particles from the sun stimulating molecules in the earth's atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the storm down below, also referred to as a 'weather bomb,' hammered parts of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with gale force winds, heavy rain and snow.  Thousands were left stranded and without power while the storm raged on.

The image is just one in a series of breathtaking shots on Virts' Twitter page.

The photo enthusiast has been chronicling his time in space extensively on social media.  He has been with NASA since 2000, and arrived on the ISS earlier this month.