US Astronaut Posts Spectacular Photo Of Hurricane Earl From Space

An amazing photograph of Hurricane Earl taken from space was published by an American astronaut on social networking site Twitter on Tuesday.

Douglas H. Wheelock, 50, uploaded the stunning image, which was taken from the International Space Station.

The photograph -- which can be seen on Wheelock's Twitter feed @Astro_Wheels -- has since been shown on TV and online media outlets.

Dangerous weather conditions from the Category 3 storm led experts to warn of "catastrophic damage" should Earl reach land after it crosses the Caribbean on its way to the U.S.

Hurricane Earl is gathering some serious strength. It is incredible what a difference a day makes when you’re dealing with this force of nature. Please keep a watchful eye on this one...not sure if Earl will go quietly into the night like Danielle. Earl ’ ’Go placidly amid the noise and haste’and remember what peace there may be in silence’’ (Image Credit: Douglas H. Wheelock - Twitter - Astro_Wheels)

Earl has brushed past the Virgin Islands and is expected to pass east of the islands of Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas before possibly hitting the eastern U.S. coast later this week.

"There is a very high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and falling debris," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on its website.