NASA astronaut captures stunning aurora from space

On April 5, 2025, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, currently aboard the International Space Station, recorded an impressive video of a green aurora above Earth. This sighting occurred while the ISS was flying over the southern hemisphere, specifically between Australia and Antarctica. Pettit has been living and working at the space station since September 2024, where he continues to conduct vital science experiments and maintain the station's operations. His tenure with NASA began in 1996, and he has accumulated over 370 days in space, achieving more than 13 hours of spacewalking experience. The auroras captured by Pettit are created as charged particles emitted by the sun, particularly during events known as coronal mass ejections, collide with Earth’s atmosphere. As these particles interact with the magnetic field of our planet, they produce vibrant displays of light in the sky. In the southern hemisphere, these phenomena are referred to as aurora australis, while in the northern hemisphere, they are known as aurora borealis. The colors of the auroras vary based on different atmospheric gases being excited by the charged particles, with green typically produced by oxygen. In addition to videos of the auroras, Pettit frequently shares various visual observations from his time on the ISS. Recently, he has posted videos showing not only the auroras but also timelapses of SpaceX's Starlink satellites flying in formation and lightning phenomena occurring in the upper atmosphere above specific geographic areas, such as the Amazon basin. These images and videos highlight the unique perspective that astronauts have while operating in low Earth orbit, as well as their ability to bring attention to both the beauty and complexity of Earth’s atmosphere and weather systems. Pettit, aged 69, stands out as the oldest astronaut currently on the ISS and is recognized for his remarkable photography and videography. His work serves to inspire and educate the public about space and the intricate interplay of solar activity with our planet's atmosphere. He arrived aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft with two cosmonauts, Aleksey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, and the trio is scheduled to return to Earth later in April. Pettit's ongoing contributions, both in scientific research and public engagement, showcase the importance of space missions in enhancing our understanding of planet Earth and beyond.