An astronaut currently working on the International Space Station managed to capture a picture of what looks like a space angel.
European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, took the photo during the Russian Soyuz launch which took place last Wednesday.
From her vantage point above the earth’s orbit, the trails left by the crewed flight sparked great imagination from some observers.
READ MORE: Irish space experts confirm exact time International Space Station will be visible tonight
Amanda Kooser, a tech expert for the CNET website, compared it to an "angelic figure, wings spread, ascending toward orbit.”
The IFLScience blog described it as a “great swooping space angel,” while another online commentator said: "Wow' almost looks like a scene from a 1960s space movie. Doesn't look real. Beautiful, but unreal looking."
Astronaut Cristoforetti, who will soon take on the role of commander of the International Space Station, wrote: "We had a spectacular view of the Soyuz launch!
“Sergey, Dmitry, and Frank will come knocking on our door in just a couple of hours… looking forward to welcoming them to their new home!"
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio was travelling to the ISS along with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin.
Cristoforetti will officially take over from fellow Expedition 67 crew member, Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev.
A traditional handover ceremony which centres around the symbolic passing of a key from the previous commander will take place on 28 September.
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