Its outline is instantly recognisable, but the image is all the more remarkable given its context.
Hazza Al Mansouri, the UAE's first astronaut, has shared a picture of the Emirates taken from the International Space Station.
"From the happiest astronaut to the happiest nation...this is history, this is the UAE from space," he tweeted on Tuesday evening.
The clear skies over the UAE and surrounding nations make it easy to see the desert land mass of the Middle East and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, with just a few areas of cloud covering the mountainous regions.
While the islands of Abu Dhabi are clearly visible, Dubai's Palm Jumeirah can be spotted with a little help from the zoom button.
Taking the picture may have been a challenge for Maj Al Mansouri given that the ISS travels at more than 7km per second, although as it orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, he should had a few windows of opportunity.
Earlier in the day, he was pictured looking at home at the space station wearing an Emirati kandura as he shared the UAE's culture with the eight other astronauts on board.
The 34-year-old will return to Earth on Thursday when he is due to land at one of three sites in Kazakhstan at about 4pm UAE time.
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Blast off - Hazza Al Mansouri heads into space
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ISS crew members Jessica Meir of the US, Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazza Al Mansouri of the UAE walk to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters -
The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-15 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. AP Photo -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket blasts off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) blasts off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-15 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhsta. AP Photo -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket flies moments after blasting off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) flies moments after blasting off. AFP -
The Russian Soyuz booster rocket FG with Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft lifts off from the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. EPA -
The astronauts give a final wave as they ascend the steps of the Soyuz. Maxim Shipenkov / AFP -
The three astronauts ascend the steps of the Soyuz. Maxim Shipenkov / AFP -
Jessica Meir, Oleg Skripochka and Hazza Ali Al Mansouri approach the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters -
Russian Space Agency experts help Hazza Al Mansouri, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station, to sit during an inspection of his space suit prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship on Wednesday. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
US astronaut Jessica Meir has her space suit inspected ahead of the launch. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Russian Space Agency experts help Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka stand up after inspecting his space suit. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Oleg Skripochka has his space suit inspected before launch. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Jessica Meir waves prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri throws up the three-fingered hand signal synonymous with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and that stands for 'winning, victory and love'. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves to relatives from a bus prior to the launch of the Soyuz rocket at 5.56pm. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. AFP -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. EPA -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. AFP -
Hazza Al Mansouri holds up the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre crest. mission. AFP -
Hazza Al Mansouri, Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir leave a hotel and board a bus to the launch pad. They are scheduled to blast off for ISS at 5.56pm UAE time. EPA -
Hazza Al Mansouri, Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir wave to crowds as they leave for the launch pad. EPA -
Hazza Al Mansouri with cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir, who is part of the landmark first all-female spacewalk. -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves to crowds as they leave for the launch pad. EPA
