Magical time lapse captures Earth from space

An astronaut has captured more than 21,000 images of Earth from space during two trips around our home planet, and the result is breathtaking.

The timelapse reveals a stunning sunrise over planet Earth. Picture: ESA

Two trips around the Earth in just 15 minutes?

This incredibly fast journey is now possible thanks to a time-lapse video from the International Space Station, released this month by the European Space Agency.

The stunning footage lapse shows masses of swirling storm clouds and brightly-lit urban centres glowing from the darkness of space, and allows viewers to see certain locations like Italy, France and Shanghai.

Two times around Earth in 15-minutes. The extraordinary pictures captured from space. Picture: ESA

The final video is comprised of 21,375 images of Earth, captured by ESA astronaut and International Space Station commander Alexander Gerst.

It travels from Tunisia, across Beijing and through Australia, showing the planet pass from day into night twice.

It also zooms far above deep-blue oceans, landscapes and atmospheres that resemble paintings.

Shanghai and Beijing can be seen from space even at night. Picture: ESA

The 15-minute clip has been sped up to 12.5 times faster than the actual velocity of the observatory, according to Geek.com.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and has been republished here with permission.