Astronaut Chris Hadfield took 45,000 photos from space—here are some of the best

Detroit, Michigan, right, and Windsor, Ontario—two countries, one river.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)

Venice, floating, connected to the mainland by only the thinnest of umbilical cords.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)

The Richat Structure in Mauritania, also known as the Eye of the Sahara, is a landmark for astronauts.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)

Salt from evaporation ponds at the Great Salt Lake, Utah, attracts pastel-colored algae, brine shrimp, birds… and this one lone wolf.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)

The majesty of the Himalayas.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)

Much of the densely built-up waterfront around San Francisco sits on landfill, often a blend of rubble and sediment dragged up from the bay.(Chris Hadfield/NASA)