These stunning photographs may look like alien planets, but they are actually satellite images of planet Earth. Commercial satellite company DigitalGlobe recently released the images as a way of highlighting the incredible detail of their imagery – the highest-resolution commercial satellite imagery in the world. Some of the images – taken above Afghanistan, Algeria, Peru, Russia and the United States – look more like abstract works by Mondrian than segments of the globe. DigitalGlobe, based in Westminster, Colo., launched its first satellite in 1999 and currently has four in operation. Here: Trementina, New Mexico. (Photo by DigitalGlobe/Caters News)

Most probably wouldnt think of snakes, spiders and lizards as beautiful animals – but these photographs could change some minds. The images show the reptiles seemingly playful sides, from a gleeful looking Budgetts frog, a cheeky leopard sticking out its tongue at the camera and a stack of four colourful iguanas. Contrasted against a white background and shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 and macro lens, photographer Mickael Leger really made sure they could be seen in all their glory. Here: Gecko. (Photo by Mickael Leger/Caters News)

Israeli woman, Nora Lifschitz, 28, holds an injured Egyptian fruit bat at her home in Tel Aviv February 22, 2016. Lifschitz says that she began caring for injured fruit bats from her home two years ago and now has some 70 of the flying mammals which she plans to release back into nature once they are healthy. (Photo by Baz Ratner/Reuters)

Photographer Mihaela Noroc travelled the world from Ethiopia to the US and from Guatemala to France in search of natural and authentic beauty. She introduces some of the inspiring women she met on her journey. Here: Ecuador. “More and more tribes of Amazonia are starting to adopt modern clothes for everyday life. But they are still keeping their traditional clothes for important events. I photographed this young woman in her wedding outfit”. (Photo by Mihaela Noroc/The Guardian)

Tourists use a selfie stick on the Trocadero Square, with the Eiffel Tower in background, in Paris, Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Selfie sticks have become popular among tourists because you don't have to ask strangers to take your picture, and you can capture a wide view in a selfie without showing your arm. But some people find selfie sticks obnoxious, arguing that they detract from the travel experience. (Photo by Remy de la Mauviniere/AP Photo)

The beautiful shots were taken by photographer Amos Chapple using a camera mounted to a quadcopter drone. This enabled him to capture these unusual aerials showing some of Europe’s sights like they’ve never been seen before. Travelling across the continent he took photos everywhere from France and Germany to Spain and Russia. Photo: Clouds swirl through the pillars of Sagrat Cor Church, high on a hill above Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Amos Chapple/Rex Features)

A bride weeps in a mass wedding ceremony at the CheongShim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea, Wednesday, February 12, 2014. Some 2,500 South Korean and foreign couples exchanged or reaffirmed marriage vows in the Unification Church's mass wedding arranged by Hak Ja Han Moon, wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial founder of the Unification Church. (Photo by Lee Jin-man/AP Photo)

A tank rolls out from a ship on a landing operation during military drills at the Black Sea coast, Crimea, Friday, September 9, 2016. Russia has deployed cruise missiles, multiple rocket launchers, tanks and its latest anti-aircraft system at massive military drills in Crimea. The drills which began across southern Russia and Crimea earlier this week and involve over 120,000 troops are some of the largest exercises Russia has held for years. (Photo by Pavel Golovkin/AP Photo)