Astronauts Captivated by Spectacular Aurora Below ISS
WHO:
Good News Network - Jessica Meir was in the SpaceX Dragon capsule after arriving at the International Space Station in February for an 8-month mission.
KMBC - ISS astronaut Jessica Meir captured the aurora australis in a time-lapse video.
WHAT:
Good News Network - Meir described the aurora as "ethereal and emotionally evocative" in a post on X.
Good News Network - The aurora australis occurred during an active solar event, which ignited the phenomenon.
KMBC - Jessica Meir described the aurora as "evocative" in a post on X.
KMBC - The southern aurora, known as aurora australis, was described by Meir as "danced and snaked" along Earth's atmosphere.
WLKY - NASA stated that "Auroras are colorful, dynamic, and often visually delicate displays of an intricate dance of particles and magnetism between the Sun and Earth called space weather."
WHERE:
KMBC - The photograph of the aurora australis was taken from the International Space Station, which orbited 271 miles above the Indian Ocean southwest of Perth, Australia.
WHEN:
KMBC - The photograph of the aurora australis was taken on June 5, 2026.
WHY:
KMBC - The term "aurora" is derived from the Latin word for "dawn" and is also named after the Roman goddess of the dawn.
WLKY - The phenomenon of auroras is caused by the interaction of particles and magnetism between the Sun and Earth.
HOW:
Good News Network - The auroras' colors indicate which gases are involved and where interactions occur; green lights come from oxygen at lower altitudes, while red lights indicate oxygen at higher altitudes.
KMBC - The aurora was captured in a time-lapse video format by astronaut Jessica Meir.
(UPDATED June 18, 2026 23:35 UTC)
Jessica Meir, currently on an eight-month mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule at the International Space Station, recently shared her experience of witnessing the aurora australis. She described the stunning display as "ethereal and emotionally evocative," which was ignited during an active solar event. The vibrant colors of the aurora reveal the gases involved, with green lights coming from oxygen at lower altitudes and red lights indicating oxygen at higher altitudes.
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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:47 UTC)
Jessica Meir recently described the aurora as "evocative" in a post on X. The term "aurora" comes from the Latin word for "dawn" and is also named after the Roman goddess of the dawn. This beautiful natural phenomenon continues to capture the imagination of many around the world.
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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 12:13 UTC)
Astronaut Jessica Meir aboard the International Space Station captured a stunning time-lapse video of the aurora australis, which she described as "danced and snaked" along Earth's atmosphere. This mesmerizing phenomenon, visible from 271 miles above the Indian Ocean southwest of Perth, Australia, is the result of an intricate dance of particles and magnetism between the Sun and Earth, commonly referred to as space weather. NASA highlights that auroras are colorful, dynamic, and often visually delicate displays, showcasing the beauty of our planet's interaction with solar activity.