Lights, camera, action! The lightning captured in this time-lapse taken by ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst from aboard the International Space Station is reminiscent of camera flashes in the night.

Taking a tour over cities and oceans as the Space Station orbits planet Earth, the clip ends with a view of the aurora. It comprises 1,675 images taken at a rate of two per second.

Alexander often sets cameras to automatically take pictures at regular intervals while he carries out scientific experiments and work on board the Space Station. Horizons is his second mission and he will fulfil the role of Station commander in early October.

Follow the Horizons mission at http://blogs.esa.int/alexander-gerst/

Follow Alexander on Twitter at @Astro_Alex and on Instagram at @astro_alex_esa.