It's Earth, but not as we know it.This stunning footage was shot by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst while on board the International Space Station.

The six-minute film is a compilation of 12,500 photographs taken at regular intervals during Gerst's five-month stint in orbit as a flight engineer. Gerst fitted cameras to the craft during his mission.

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Gerst's photos included views of the Milky Way, the auroras, lightning and cities at night.

We think they're out of this world.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Photos From Space

New York

New York City, posted on April 23, 2013. Cmdr. Chris Hadfield tweets: Incredibly clear, before the trees have filled with leaves. (Chris Hadfield/NASA)