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sphere, and even earthquakes. The astronaut-scientists have an
amazing view that adds greatly to their knowledge.
One of the best places to take the pictures and videos is from the
“cupola.” This cone-shaped spot on the bottom of the station has nu-
merous windows on all sides. A scientist can sit in this space for hours
and observe and learn as the Earth spins past at 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
per hour. Special cameras inside the cupola take excellent nighttime
images. Other cameras use infrared lenses. These cut out most of the
light that lets us see things. What is left is usually invisible infrared
light, but this special camera makes it visible. Studying infrared images
Using a high-powered camera lens, this astronaut in the space station cupola has an amazing view of
the Earth, spinning hundreds of miles below him.