Recently, Earth has been graced with an extraordinary display of auroras, as our sun neared its peak solar activity, a phenomenon known as "solar maximum" that occurred late last year. This heightened solar activity results in the sun releasing flares, which in turn ignite stunning light shows in our atmosphere. NASA astronaut Don Pettit, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has captured mesmerizing footage of a vibrant green aurora from space.

On January 5, Pettit delightfully shared a short video clip on social media, simply captioned "Flying over aurora; intensely green." The breathtaking visuals are enough to leave viewers in awe—showcasing a glittering expanse of city lights below, contrasted with the pulsating green aurora overhead. The video also features parts of the spacecraft docked to the ISS in the corner, providing a unique perspective.

While most of us view auroras from the ground, where the lights flicker across the horizon, astronauts have the privilege of observing these captivating phenomena from above. This unparalleled viewpoint reveals the true scale and shape of the auroras, as the dance of colors resembles the flickering flames of a campfire.

Auroras come alive in various hues, with green and red being the most prevalent. However, they can also manifest in shades of pink, blue, purple, yellow, and even white. According to NASA, these colors are produced by the interaction between energetic particles and atmospheric atoms. For instance, when an energetic particle strikes an oxygen atom, it can emit either red or green light, depending on the atom’s energy level.

Pettit, renowned for his skills in astrophotography, embarked on his latest journey to the ISS in September—marking his third mission to the space station. His social media showcases a treasure trove of stunning images captured from orbit, including a surreal capture of the Milky Way peeking through a SpaceX Dragon capsule's window and a glimpse of the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS earlier this year.

In addition to his external photography, Pettit enjoys capturing moments inside the ISS. One of his creative endeavors includes a captivating selfie, featuring his camera's reflection in the visor of his spacesuit helmet, with a distorted view of the station in the background.

As auroras continue to illuminate our skies, it’s clear that the beauty of these natural light shows is best appreciated from both Earth and space. Who knows what other stunning celestial events lie on the horizon? Stay tuned for updates on space exploration and the wonders of our universe!