Just in case you didn't already have astronaut job envy, check out the stunning views Alexander Gerst got to experience every day. Alexander was an Expedition 40/41 crew member and recently returned from the International Space Station, where he captured over 12,500 images of Earth as a part of the Blue Dot mission [1].

The European Space Agency astronaut is also a geophysicist with a natural appreciation for auroras, clouds, sunrises, and more of our planet's magnificent natural wonders. Needless to say, he photographed some amazing moments during his 166 days in orbit. Once the astronaut returned to Earth in November, Alexander began compiling all of his photographs into one gorgeous time-lapse, and the results are fabulous. Watch the mesmerizing video, and get a closer look at more of Alexander's space photography [2].

More #Aurora [3]. #BlueDot [4] archive #TwitterTuesday [5] @Flickr [6] https://t.co/lQMfRRtW1W [7] pic.twitter.com/wlcmwBi7EB [8]

— Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) December 9, 2014 [9]

Powerful lightning sprites like this illuminated the entire hull of our space station. Also, check out the Pleiades pic.twitter.com/65WLEoCy5W [10]

— Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) November 18, 2014 [11]