These spellbinding photos taken by an astronaut will leave you breathless

LONDON -- British astronaut Tim Peake has quite literally seen a side of the world that few will ever glimpse.

Fortunately, there are cameras, and Tim's a nice guy.

SEE ALSO: Award-winning wildlife photos capture unearthly scenes, will mesmerize you

In a new book titled Hello, Is This Planet Earth? he shares images taken on board the International Space Station during his historic six-month Principia mission.

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"It's impossible to look down on Earth from space and not be mesmerised by the fragile beauty of our planet," Peake said in a press release, "During my mission I became determined to share this unique perspective."

The photos he has captured are truly spectacular. Here are some of our favourites:

1. El Giza, Egypt

Featured: The Great Pyramid at Giza (the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the AncientWorld), the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Credit: tim Peake

2. Space selfie

A selfie even Kim K can't top. Credit: TIM PEAKE

3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Palm Jebel Ali is seen on the left, next to Jebel Ali deep port – the world’s largest man-made harbour. Credit: TIM PEAKE

4. Illizi, Algeria

This is a dune field in the Sahara Desert near the Tunisian border. Credit: TIM PEAKE

5. London, England

You can make out London's iconic bridges over the Thames. Credit: TIM PEAKE

6. Ionian Sea

Naples and Rome light up the southern shores of Italy. Credit: TIM PEAKE

7. Damxung, Tibet, China

The lake shown is known as Tenger nuur, which means ‘Heavenly Lake’. Credit: TIM PEAKE

8. London, England

An aurora hovers above London. Credit: TIM PEAKE

9. Calgary, Canada

An aurora shimmers over northern Canada. Credit: TIM PEAKE

10. Patagonia

A massive gathering of phytoplankton floats on the ocean off the coast of Argentina. Credit: TIM PEAKE

11. South Coast, UK

The busy port city of Southampton can be spotted in the centre. Credit: TIM PEAKE

12. Ubar, Oman

These ripples are sand dunes on the border of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Credit: TIM PEAKE

All of Peake's proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards UK charity The Prince's Trust.

Hello, Is This Planet Earth?is available now, published by Century, Hardback, £20.00

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