Here are 20 of the best photos taken by Brit astronaut Tim Peake whilst he was in space
The European Space Agency astronaut, who landed in Kazakhstan on Saturday morning, spent half a year as part of the Principia mission on board the ISS
BRITISH astronaut Tim Peake has returned to Earth after a six month stint at the International Space Station and, after a safe landing, the inspirational Major's space boots are finally back on firm ground.
The European Space Agency astronaut, who landed in Kazakhstan on Saturday morning, spent half a year as part of the Principia mission on board the ISS, where he took hundreds of incredible photos.
And now, photographer Max Alexander has selected 20 of Major Tim's most stellar snaps, which provide breathtaking perspectives of our world from his unique vantage point on board the ISS.
Pro photographer Max knew Tim Peake before his high-profile launch last year, and even gave the astronaut photography tips during his mission, which saw the astronaut share over 400 pictures from space.
This shot shows Vancouver Island, Canada, from Maj. Peake's stunning perspective.
Max comments: "Tim has exquisitely captured the sun's 'glint' as it moves around the Earth, which catches the water along the way.
"This is a tough shot to make – to get the 'right' exposure in a high contrast situation – and Tim has expertly pitched the tones just right here."
This incredible shot captures the UK on the left, and the European continent on the right, as well as including the atmosphere's nighttime glow.
Max says: "To my mind, communicating the atmosphere’s fragility is one of the most important and powerful things an astronaut can do."
This shot shows a smoking volcano on Russia's east coast, with a plume of volcanic ash rising in to the sky and merging with the surrounding clouds.
Heat from the volcano's magma chamber has melted the snow around the fiery mountain's rim, leaving a tip of exposed rock poking up through the cloud layer.
Another icy image came from Tim's perspective above southern Chile, pictured in this incredible shot of a Patagonian ice field.
Max joked: "A Patagonian ice field spills into the ocean at the southern tip of Chile, seeming to create swirls of chocolate and cream frozen in time.
"This is one of Tim's favourite photographs - maybe he's missing ice cream…"
Meanwhile, this shot captures an engineering marvel from an unusual perspective, showing the Panama canal from above.
The waterway, which links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is framed by clouds in this stunning photo of a Central American landmark.
Another stunning oceanic image shows the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico - the site where the city-sized asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs is believed to have struck.
Max said: "You can imagine an asteroid coming from space and hitting the Earth in this photograph."
One of Tim's best photos is this incredible shot of a cumulonimbus cloud - which was created by a booming thunderstorm.
He uploaded the picture with the caption: "I'm guessing there was an impressive storm going on under that!"
Another cloud captured Tim's imagination when he shot this photo of a cloud which "looks good enough to surf."
Max commented that the photo showed "warm embers of golden light set against an ocean of tranquillity."
Maj. Tim captured this incredible image whilst flying over Africa, which he claims looks like a "canvas of art" from above.
Max comments: "This picture of an African desert is all about texture and vibrant colour.
"It could also easily be taken for a satellite image of Mars – with its rusty orange tones.
"There are more similarities between Mars and the Earth than you think."
This next shot was captured over South America, and shows a swirling bloom of plankton off the Patagonian coast.
Max said: "Tim really has an eye for the abstract, as is exemplified by this image - which is only possible to see from space."
Not all of the astronaut's best photos featured the Earth, as proven by this stellar snap of the moon as it waxes, or grows, in visibility.
Max described the transition between the "inky black" of space and the pale surface of our moon as "striking".
This gorgeous shot of a sunset was a tough photo to take, according to Max.
He said: "The combination of the ISS travelling at 28,800 kph, and using an exceptionally long lens means that Tim has to work extremely quickly and precisely to nail the shot."
Tim originally captioned the photo: "We see 16 sunrises every day - but I've never seen one as beautiful as this"
Tim jokingly captioned this next photo: "View from the office this morning."
It shows the Cygnus spacecraft, loaded with essential supplies for the crew, being captured by the ISS before it is brought on board to re-stock the space station.
This incredible image shows the launch of DIWATA-1, the first Filipino microsatellite, from the ISS.
The miniature satellite was launched to observe the Earth on a mission to chart climate change.
Another perfect shot featured a Dragon supply spacecraft coming in to shot as the ISS drifted over Dubai.
Tim said: "I've been waiting to get a picture of The Palms, Dubai and then this happened just prior to capture."
Max comments: "Tim was waiting to take a photograph of the Palms Islands in Dubai, when the Dragon supply spacecraft came into shot.
"Like a lot of great photography, serendipity can make all the difference."
Tim shared this gorgeous shot with the caption: "The ISS just passed straight through a thick green fog of aurora…eerie but very beautiful."
Max said the image gives the viewer the feeling of flying through the curtains of space weather as if we're up there with the ISS astronauts.
This shot of the UK at night shows our nation bathed in city lights as the Aurora Borealis shine overhead.
Max said: "Lights on the ground, lights in the sky and lights in space make up this dazzling image.
"This photograph of manmade and natural light firmly places us in our cosmic habitat."
This next photo offers a glorious perspective of Italy, with the Earth's curves clearly visible on the horizon.
When Tim shared this photo he commented: "We have phases of 'short nights' on the International Space Station – sunlight is nearly always visible right now.
"No prizes for guessing where this is…"
Tim's penultimate photo shows a vista packed with glowing stars.
He said: "More stars in the Universe than grains of sand on Earth – easy to believe from up here."
The final picture to make the top 20 is this spacewalk selfie.
Max said: "You can't help but smile along with Tim in this playful spacewalk selfie.
"He was given an unprecedented ten minutes of free time to take photographs and look down on our planet, while waiting for the ISS to pass into the Earth's shadow before the astronauts could return to work."