Two Stunning Aurora Events Documented from the International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) has captured two separate aurora events, providing breathtaking footage and images of the natural light displays over different regions and time periods. The collection includes a time-lapse video of the aurora australis from June 2026 and a photograph of the aurora borealis from January 2026.
Aurora Australis Time-Lapse Video (June 2026)
"Emerald" lights "dancing and snaking" along Earth's atmosphere.
- The ISS released a time-lapse video of the aurora australis (southern aurora) captured by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.
- The footage was recorded from the ISS while orbiting approximately 271 miles above the Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia.
- The video was recorded on June 5, 2026.
- Meir described the lights as "emerald" in color and "dancing and snaking" along Earth's atmosphere, as posted on the social media platform X.
Background on Auroras
- NASA states that auroras result from interactions between solar particles and Earth's magnetic field, a process referred to as space weather.
- The term "aurora" derives from the Latin word for "dawn" and from the Roman goddess of dawn.
Aurora Borealis Photograph (January 2026)
A photograph captured Earth's horizon illuminated by red and green bands of light, looking north over Italy toward Germany.
- On January 19, 2026, an aurora display was observed above Europe from the ISS.
- A photograph of the event was taken by NASA astronaut Chris Williams at approximately 10:02 p.m. local time.
- The ISS was orbiting at an altitude of 262 miles above the Mediterranean Sea at the time the image was captured.
- The image documented Earth's horizon illuminated by auroral light, looking north over Italy toward Germany. City lights were also visible in the image.
- The auroral display featured red and green bands of light.
Formation and Colors
- NASA explains that auroras are caused by energetic particles from space colliding with atmospheric gases, emitting light.
- This phenomenon is called aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Different colors result from the type of gas and altitude of the collision:
- Green emissions typically originate from oxygen molecules at lower altitudes.
- Red light is observed at higher altitudes where the atmosphere is less dense.
- Solar activity releases energetic particles that travel toward Earth, become trapped in the magnetosphere, and follow magnetic field lines toward the poles. These particles then collide with atmospheric particles, producing visible light.