Photo Shows Smoke Over NYC From Space On 9/11

A photo is making the rounds on social media again this September 11th. I came across the photo posted on Myrtle Beach meteorologist Ed Piotrowski's Facebook page. In the photo, you can see an aerial view of Manhattan and the surrounding area on that harrowing morning. And most notable is the massive amounts of smoke over NYC, visible from space on 9/11.

According to NASA, there was only one American who was off the planet when the terrorist attacks took place that September morning. Astronaut Frank Culbertson was the only American aboard the International Space Station at the time. He was alerted to the attacks and began photographing the area as the space station coincidentally was over New York City at the time. In a public letter posted in the days after the event, Culbertson wrote, "It's horrible to see smoke pouring from wounds in your own country from such a fantastic vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the earth and watching life being destroyed by such willful, terrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are."

While everyone who was alive will never forget where they were on September 11th. Culbertson had a truly unique vantage point. To be able to see and capture photos of NYC from space on the tragic day that was 9/11. That is an image I'm sure will be etched in his mind forever. I can only imagine how helpless, he felt, as did so many Americans and people around the world. It's been 22 years, but our country will never forget. And while I hope we never go through anything remotely like this, the unity it brought to this country is something we desperately need today.

I hope you treat everyone around you with kindness today. Read more about NASA's response to 9/11 here.