Stunning Close-Up: Photographer Snapshots the ISS in Crystal-Clear Detail as It Zooms Past!

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits about 250 miles above Earth. Despite its distance, one photographer has managed to capture stunning images of it. AJ Smadi was amazed when he reviewed his photos, calling one of them his clearest shot yet.

Smadi successfully photographed three separate flybys of the ISS in one night. He expressed wonder at how the sunlight reflected off its solar panels. The photos were taken with a Celestron 9.25″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and a ZWO ASI662MC camera, while he held a hand controller and aimed with a laser pointer instead of using tracking software.

Currently, there’s a crew of eleven aboard the ISS. This includes seven astronauts from NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA who have been there since April 2025, and four participants from the Axiom-4 private mission that docked at the station in June 2025.

Online, many viewers have praised his backyard setup for capturing such incredible images of the ISS. “It’s amazing to think about how much technology has advanced in just a few decades,” Smadi commented. This interest isn’t just limited to professional photographers; amateur astronomers worldwide share similar stories, showing what their setups can achieve.

Smadi’s previous work includes capturing a solar eclipse on Saturn. His photo featured Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, as it passed in front of the Sun, creating a striking shadow on the planet.

Those curious about his work can view more on Smadi’s Instagram and Reddit.

This latest achievement reminds us that with the right tools and passion, we can explore the cosmos from our own backyards. In a time when space exploration is at the forefront, Smadi’s experiences inspire others to look up and capture their own views of the universe.

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