First-Ever HD Live Stream From Space Is Your New Favorite Time Suck

By Chris Taylor2014-05-07 23:52:39 UTC

As astronauts who've spent time aboard the International Space Station have noted, there is nothing more beautiful than watching 16 sunrises a day.

Now you can see them all from your desk, thanks to four HD cameras NASA has installed aboard the ISS and Ustream, which is transmitting the results live, and for free, to the whole Internet.

The view is such stunning high quality, it's hard to believe this is just an experiment. The cameras are being exposed to the harsh radiation of space so that engineers can figure out how to build better, more radiation-resistant cameras in the future, according to the space agency. Another hard-to-believe fact: These cameras were constructed and are maintained with the help of high school kids across the U.S.

The best part? This NASA note on the feed: "There is no audio on purpose. Add your own soundtrack."

The experimental feed was meant to launch a couple of days ago, but last-minute glitches held it back. It seems to have been worth the wait, however. Just under 7 million viewers have been watching the feed at any one time, a large enough number that we're wondering what kind of impact this glorious view is having on the economy.

The link to the feed has been tweeted more than 11,000 times Wednesday, with some well-known names expressing their delight alongside regular, earthbound Joes:

Image: NASA

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First-Ever HD Live Stream From Space Is Your New Favorite Time Suck