Collection by Aileen Kwun

Ever Wondered About the View from Space?

Taken by satellites from DigitalGlobe's 15-year time-lapse image library, a new collection of photographs sheds perspective on nature and the built environment in high-definition. Consumer space travel may be just around the corner, but until then, we'll settle for "Overview: A New Perspective of Earth," Benjamin Grant's new book launching October 25 from Ten Speed Press. tenspeed.com

View 15 Photos

Resembling branches of a tree, these dentritic drainage systems are seen around Iran's Shadegan Lagoon. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

A volcanic island located 584 miles south of Tokyo, Japan, Nishinoshima began to erupt in November 2013, and continued through August 2015. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Located at the edge of the Mojave Desert, Victorville, California, is home to more than 150 retired planes; dry conditions limits the corrosion of metal, so that planes can be safely stored for years before they're stripped for parts. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Houseboats float along the New Bullard Bar Reservoir in Yuba County California. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Bright blue hues mark the landscape of Moab, Utah, where mines produce potash, a potassium-containing salt that is a major component of fertilizers. Waters are dyed a deep blue to aid in the absorption of sunlight and heat, which speed up the process of potash crystallization. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

The Port of Singapore ships a fifth of the world's cargo containers, making it the world's second busiest port. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

One square mile of tailings—the waste and byproducts generated by mining operations—are shown here, just outside of the Tilden Iron Ore Mines in Negaunee, Michigan. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Neatly delineated into as grid of streets, Manhattan's Central Park appears to comprise more than its actual footprint of just 6% of the island borough. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Appearing like a giant oculus from above, the Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant in Seville, Spain, is a solar concentrator containing 2,650 heliostat mirrors that focus the sun's thermal energy to heat molten salt, which is then circulated to produce steam and electricity. Reprinted with permission from Overview by Benjamin Grant, copyright (c) 2016. Published by Amphoto Books, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Images (c) 2016 by DigitalGlobe, Inc.

View More
5 more saves