On December 17, several beautiful photos of the International Space Station (ISS) were taken in Newbury Park, California.

The ISS is a "home" for astronauts as well as a science lab for multiple countries. Made up of multiple parts, the first was launched in 1998; the station was complete in 2011.

ISS' purpose is for scientists to observe how humans can live in space, and how to keep a spacecraft functional for a long period of time. NASA even has a page where you can find out when you can see the ISS above where you live.

The photo NASA released is a composite of ten frames; the ISS -- with its six members on board -- travels at around five miles per second.

Credit: NASA

The stunning sight shows just how vast the sun is compared to us, and how fast the brave astronauts are moving.

Check out other incredible space photos