Kaaba Glows Brightly from Space in Stunning ISS Photograph

A breathtaking photograph taken from orbit has gone viral, showing Mecca’s Kaaba glowing like a luminous point from 400 kilometres above Earth.

The image, captured from the International Space Station (ISS), presents Islam’s holiest site as a radiant focal point within the city.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, recently returned from his ISS mission, shared the photo on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Orbital views of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The bright spot in the center is the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, visible even from space.”

Pettit, known for his artistic approach to space photography during his fourth ISS stint, captured the image using a high-resolution Nikon camera through the station’s cupola window, highlighting the Kaaba’s unique visibility from orbit.