Stunning images of lightning on earth - captured from space

Astronauts orbiting the International Space Station witnessed the awesome sight of a raging lighting storm on earth.

This timelapse was made from 49 images taken 400 km above Earth by an astronaut travelling at 28,800 km per hour.

The European Space Agency's Nightpod camera made it possible to capture near perfect, crystal-clear images.

They were taken back in 2012, but have only just been released by ESA.