If you guessed Earth, or at least some aspect of Earth, give yourself an extra latte today. These photos were taken from the International Space Station using an extended exposure (although up in space like that, who knows exactly how extended the exposure would need to be) in order to capture the intersecting light trails of both the stars and the light emanating from our planet. The juxtaposition of the two planes – space and earth – creates an extraordinary grid of light that defies any understanding we have of the natural world. This doesn’t look like anything you could ever find in our natural world; it looks more like what old robots dream about after they’ve been greased with an LSD bath.

If you like what you see here, I recommend checking out the Flickr photostream for the NASA Johnson Space Center, where these photos were originally shared (plus there’s a ton more to look through). If you’re in the mood to change your desktop image, you’ll find some amazing hi-resolution photos over there. Also, try following some ISS-inhabiting astronauts on Twitter because they also regularly share some breathtaking photos of their room with a view.

[HT to Moo.]