A breathtaking photo taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station has captured the eastern United States in a unique and striking way. The image, taken at 4:54 a.m. Central Daylight Time on October 18, 2026, shows the country's largest metropolitan areas, such as Chicago and Detroit, shining brightly against the darkened landscape. The photo also reveals the intricate network of mid-sized cities and their connections along state and interstate highways. A diffuse layer of green and orange light is visible above the nighttime lights, caused by airglow - a phenomenon where sunlight interacts with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, ejecting photons. This phenomenon is scientifically valuable for tracking changes in the built environment. The photo also highlights the diversity of lighting in cities, with Chicago's lightscape appearing as a homogeneous pale yellow in the wide view, but revealing a range of colors in more detailed photos. This image is a testament to the beauty and complexity of our planet, and the importance of continued exploration and observation of our world.