Space Station provides spectacular view of Ireland

This crystal-clear photograph shows the Emerald Isle in fine detail from some 400 km above the Earth’s surface.

Partially shrouded by light cloud cover and highlighted with vibrant shades of green, the island can be seen nestled between the Irish sea to the East and the Atlantic ocean to the West.

The stunning image was captured by British ESA astronaut Tim Peake during his Principia mission, a sixth-month trip to the International Space Station that began on 15 December 2015.

Taken on 24 February the following year using a regular digital camera, the image was posted on Tim's Flickr account to celebrate the St Patrick’s Day national holiday.