NASA astronaut Don Pettit recently shared a captivating video of the aurora borealis from the International Space Station (ISS). The footage, posted on January 6, 2025, showcases the vibrant green glow of the auroras resulting from charged particles emitted by the Sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field.
Pettit described the experience as "Flying over aurora; intensely green," highlighting the unique perspective from approximately 230 to 285 miles above Earth. The video has garnered significant attention on social media, with viewers expressing awe and skepticism alike.
While many admired the stunning visuals, some questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting it might be artificially generated. Critics pointed out that the level of detail captured, particularly the visibility of city lights below, seemed implausible from the ISS's altitude.
Auroras are natural light displays that occur when solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections, triggers magnetic storms in Earth's atmosphere. These phenomena are typically visible in high-latitude regions near the poles, but increased solar activity can extend their visibility further south.
Don Pettit, a veteran astronaut with over 370 days in space, is currently on his third mission aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 72. His ongoing work includes conducting scientific experiments and capturing remarkable images of Earth's beauty from space. The recent surge in auroral activity coincides with the solar maximum phase of the Sun's 11-year cycle, leading to more frequent and brilliant displays.
NASA has noted that while solar flares can disrupt communication systems, no significant disturbances have been reported during this heightened period of solar activity. Instead, these events have provided breathtaking visuals for both astronauts and observers on Earth, showcasing the dynamic beauty of our solar system.