NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently shared a breathtaking timelapse video shot from the International Space Station, showcasing the immense power of Hurricane Milton. Captured from the window of the Dragon Endeavor on Tuesday, the footage highlights the station orbiting above the fierce storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently aboard the docked Dragon Endeavor, Mr. Dominick is preparing for its eventual undocking and return to Earth.
The Endeavor spacecraft originally took Mr. Dominick along with crew members Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Alexander Grebenkin (from Roscosmos) to space in March. Its planned return on October 7 has been postponed due to Hurricane Milton’s path, with undocking now set for October 13.
He described the video with the technical details: “Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton about 2 hours ago. 1/6400 sec exposure, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5-sec interval, 30fps.”
The video has captured widespread attention, amassing nearly 9 million views online. Viewers expressed their fascination and concern, with one stating, “Incredible footage! It’s both compelling and alarming to witness nature’s power from such a unique angle.” Another remarked on the impressive eye formation visible in the storm.
One user praised the smoothness of the timelapse, noting, “Awesome shot! The 0.5-second intervals make it look like you’re zooming past the hurricane, although it’s concerning for those in Milton’s path in Florida, Georgia, etc. I hope they manage to evacuate in time.”
Another commenter elaborated, “It’s difficult to grasp the vastness and destructive potential of these storms. Thank you for sharing this perspective!”
Hurricane Milton is currently a formidable Category 5 storm, rapidly gaining strength over the Gulf of Mexico and is poised to make landfall on Florida’s west coast. It poses risks of a life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall, prompting evacuation orders in coastal areas. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 of the 67 counties over the weekend.
The impending storm surge, flooding, and high winds could significantly impact energy infrastructure, including power plants, transmission lines, and fuel terminals. The National Weather Service has warned that Hurricane Milton could become one of the most destructive storms on record for west-central Florida.
