Earth seen from the International Space Station

© Tim Peake/ESA/NASA via Getty Image

A view that’s out of this world. Earth from the International Space Station

On April 12, 1961, astronaut Yuri Gagarin astounded the world by becoming the first person to travel to outer space. In less than two hours, Gagarin completed a full orbit of the Earth after launching the Vostok 3KA spacecraft. Less than a month later, Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. The spectacle of looking back at Earth from space has not lost its charm, as you can see in today’s picture taken from the International Space Station. Also known as the “World Space Party,” Yuri's Night is a global celebration of astronomy and a reflection on how space exploration can unite people in a divided world.