Spectacular photo of New Zealand from space

In space no one can hear you go wow: The picture of NZ was taken on January 24 from the International Space Station. Photo / Nasa

Sunsets don't get much more stunning than this.

A photo taken from the International Space Station last month shows the Cook Strait and North and South Islands in glorious detail as they are caught by glint of the setting sun.

Nasa said the level of detail was surprising as the centre of the glint point was 1000km away from the space station.

It is rare to get such a clear photo of New Zealand from space as the country usually covered by clouds. The ISS crew is also normally asleep when the station passes over the region.