The following images of the Earth taken from outer space are absolutely awe inspiring. Posted on Flickr by European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut André Kuipers, who is the second Dutch astronaut to fly out to space, they are part of the agency's research and Kuipers' work.
We're mesmerized by these stunning photographs. Some of them look surreal, while others, like the night shots, are simply too beautiful for words.
![Between Day and Night - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Between-Day-and-Night-Andre-Kuipers-620x410.jpg)
![France Coastline - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/France-Coastline-Andre-Kuipers-620x410.jpg)
![Galapagos Islands - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Galapagos-Islands-Andre-Kuipers-620x412.jpg)
![Vietnam Coastline - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Vietnam-Coastline-Andre-Kuipers-620x410.jpg)
![The Sahara - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The-Sahara-Andre-Kuipers-620x412.jpg)
![Middle East and Europe - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Middle-East-and-Europe-Andre-Kuipers-620x410.jpg)
![The Palm and The World - Dubai - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The-Palm-and-The-World-Dubai-Andre-Kuipers-620x412.jpg)
![Somalian Desert - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Somalian-Desert-Andre-Kuipers-620x412.jpg)
![Australian Outback - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Australian-Outback-Andre-Kuipers-620x412.jpg)
![Johannesburg at night - Andre Kuipers](http://khaleejesque.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Johannesburg-at-night-Andre-Kuipers-620x410.jpg)
To see more photographs, visit André Kuipers' Flickr Page
Images copyright ESA/NASA