News Brief
A U.S. astronaut on the International Space Station has recently launched a new project. Megan McArthur is photographing the West’s iconic national parks. She grew up visiting places like Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion – and now she’s shooting them from 250 miles above the surface of Earth.
“These are amazing, breathtaking places,” she said during an interview with NASA TV on Friday. “Also, [I’m] seeing parks I haven’t been to before and thinking, ‘Oh wow, that looks amazing. I really want to go there and learn about that environment.'”
McArthur plans to create a portfolio of photos when she returns. Right now she’s taking shots of parks including Zion and Yellowstone and posting them to Twitter.
What a lovely coincidence! Just today I captured these photos of @SequoiaKingsNPS from @Space_Station, and one of the closeups includes Rae Lakes. I think I’ll have to visit in person one day! 🏕 https://t.co/ZWWilqrfaQ pic.twitter.com/e24M6TW4GB
— Megan McArthur (@Astro_Megan) August 6, 2021
She’s also taking photos of wildfires in the West.
I am saddened to see these fires in my home state of California. Sending best wishes from @Space_Station for the safety and well-being of everyone impacted. pic.twitter.com/vtUVkNdz5W
— Megan McArthur (@Astro_Megan) August 5, 2021
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Montana, KUNC in Colorado, KUNM in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.