ISS astronaut spies sunglint from Lake Titicaca photo of the day for July 9, 2025

Sitting in low Earth orbit, the International Space Station offers astronauts aboard some spectacular views, including this one of Lake Titicaca in Peru.

What is it?

At 3,200 square miles (8,300 square kilometers), Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America. Thought to be around three million years old, the lake is one of just a handful of ancient lakes remaining around the globe. Over 25 different rivers dump into the lake, feeding into its large size. Ancient structures and artifacts show that humans have lived around Lake Titicaca since before colonial times and continue to live there today.

Where is it?

Lake Titicaca lies between ranges of the Andes Mountains in a basin that’s part of the Altiplano (high plateau) of the northern Andes in Peru. At 2.36 miles (3.81 km) above sea level, the lake is the highest in the world.

The image captured from the ISS shows the sunglint phenomenon from Lake Titicaca. (Image credit: NASA)

Why is it amazing?

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