Incredible shot shows lightning in the eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Bansi
Digital Reporter
Sunday, January 18, 2015, 4:58 PM - Over the years, we've shared quite a few impressive photos of hurricanes or cyclones from space, but these latest images by far stand above the rest.
SEE ALSO: Historical hurricane tracks
The exceptional shots were taken by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti when the International Space Station was situated near Tropical Cyclone Bansi in the South Indian Ocean.
What truly sets these photos apart from the ones we've seen before is that Cristoforetti managed to capture the exact moment when a flash of lightning lit up the eye of the storm.
See the incredible images below.
#Bansi a few days ago, w/ lighting brightening up the eye of the cyclone. #Bansi con l'occhio del ciclone illuminato. pic.twitter.com/jzgUT4v6sc
— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) January 17, 2015
And a look from above into the eye of the cyclone! E uno sguardo dall'alto nell'occhio del ciclone. #Bansi pic.twitter.com/1IKScsJekl
— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) January 17, 2015
Tropical Cyclone Bansi peaked in intensity as a Category 4 equivalent twice last week, before weakening.
WATCH BELOW: Thunderstorm seen from space