NASA image: Spacewalking astronaut ‘touches the sun’

While they are viewed by the public these days as routine, there can hardly be a more dangerous – or thrilling – task for an astronaut to perform than a spacewalk.  The imagery captured by these modern day explorers is nothing short of amazing as seen in a photo of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams seemingly touching the sun during a spacewalk last week.

During an extravehicular activity (EVA) aboard the International Space Station, Williams and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide performed much-needed maintenance and repairs to the orbiting platform.  During the six-hour, 28-minute spacewalk Hoshide captured an image of Williams appearing to reach for the sun at one point during the EVA.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 32 flight engineer, appears to touch the bright sun during the mission’s third session of extravehicular activity (EVA) on Sept. 5, 2012.  (NASA)
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 32 flight engineer, appears to touch the bright sun during the mission’s third session of extravehicular activity (EVA) on Sept. 5, 2012. (NASA) Click the image for a larger view.

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