In an awe-inspiring display of nature's beauty, NASA astronaut Don Pettit has once again provided us with breathtaking views of our planet from the International Space Station (ISS). Recently, he trained his camera on the mesmerizing northern lights, capturing the vivid green auroras dancing gracefully above the twinkling city lights below.

On January 5, Pettit shared a short video on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Flying over aurora; intensely green.” While he did not reveal the exact location of the stunning sight, the visual spectacle captivated audiences around the world.

Pettit, who is currently on his fourth mission aboard the ISS, has garnered a reputation for his exceptional photography skills in the cosmos. He arrived at the ISS in September, traveling aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and has been documenting his experiences ever since.

In October, the astronaut shared a long-exposure photograph that showcased the vibrant city lights of northern Mexico, depicted as bright and dynamic streaks across the darkness. He has also displayed his creative prowess by capturing a gorgeous sphere of water resembling Jupiter, which he crafted aboard the station using food coloring — showcasing just how art and science can intersect in space.

In a previous November post, Pettit documented the impressive trail made by SpaceX's giant Starship megarocket during its sixth test flight, and in December, he unveiled a remarkably sharp photo of distant stars and galaxies, made possible with the help of a cleverly designed homemade star tracker.

On January 1, he shared another stunning aurora image, showcasing the seasonal beauty of both red and green lights lighting up the night sky.

At 69 years old, Don Pettit is not only the oldest active astronaut in NASA's corps but also a living testament to the wonders of space exploration. His storied career includes two long-duration stays on the ISS (from 2002-2003 and 2011-2012) and a two-week mission in 2008. With each mission, Pettit continues to inspire us with his passion for science and photography, reminding us of the incredible sights our universe has to offer.

Don’t miss this mesmerizing display of auroras — make sure to watch the video and witness the beauty of our planet from above!