What Green Auroras Look Like from the International Space Station

What Green Auroras Look Like from the International Space Station

 

Have you ever imagined what Earth’s natural light shows look like from space? Recently, NASA released stunning footage captured from the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing vibrant green auroras dancing over our planet. These mesmerizing lights, seen from 402 kilometers above Earth, offer a unique perspective on a phenomenon that has fascinated humanity for centuries.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the science behind auroras, explore why they appear green, and understand how astronauts aboard the ISS capture these breathtaking visuals. Whether you're a space enthusiast or simply curious about natural wonders, join us as we journey through the captivating world of auroras from space.

Table of Contents

1. What Causes Auroras?
2. Why Are Auroras Green?
3. The Unique View from the ISS
4. NASA's 2025 Aurora Footage
5. How Astronauts Capture Auroras
6. What Auroras Reveal About Earth's Atmosphere

---

1. What Causes Auroras?

Auroras are nature’s own light show, triggered by interactions between solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field. When charged particles emitted by the sun—such as electrons and protons—reach Earth, they collide with gases in the upper atmosphere. This typically occurs near the polar regions, where Earth's magnetic field is weakest and allows particles to enter more easily.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

 

These high-energy particles excite atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. As these atoms return to their normal state, they release photons—tiny packets of light—which we observe as colorful auroras. These phenomena can occur in both hemispheres, known respectively as the aurora borealis (northern lights) and aurora australis (southern lights).

The intensity and shape of an aurora depend on solar activity. During geomagnetic storms, auroras can spread to lower latitudes, offering rare sightings in places not typically known for them. Recent solar events in early April 2025 have produced particularly strong auroras, some of which were clearly visible from the International Space Station, offering scientists and the public a spectacular view from above.

2. Why Are Auroras Green?

The green color that dominates most aurora displays comes from oxygen molecules in the atmosphere. When excited by energetic particles, oxygen at around 100–150 km altitude emits light in a specific wavelength—around 557.7 nanometers—which appears green to the human eye. This process is both beautiful and scientifically valuable, giving researchers clues about atmospheric composition and behavior.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

Aurora Color	Emitting Element	Altitude Range
🟢 Green	Oxygen	100–150 km
<strong🔴>Red	Oxygen	Above 200 km
🔵 Blue / Purple	Nitrogen	90–100 km

Because the human eye is more sensitive to green light in low-light conditions, green auroras often appear brighter and more vivid. In recent footage from the ISS, the green glow was so intense that it lit up the Earth’s upper atmosphere, forming an emerald ribbon across the horizon.

3. The Unique View from the ISS

Watching an aurora from Earth is magical—but seeing it from space is extraordinary. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station orbit the Earth every 90 minutes, often passing over the auroral oval—where these lights are most active. From their vantage point over 400 kilometers above the Earth, they can see the full sweep of auroras across the curvature of the planet.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

• Immersive Angle: From the ISS, auroras look like giant green veils wrapping around Earth’s upper atmosphere.
• Dynamic Motion: The lights appear to ripple and twist in real time, responding to fluctuations in the solar wind.
• Global Coverage: Astronauts see auroras above both hemispheres, offering rare footage of the aurora australis as well.
• Photographic Opportunity: With no atmospheric interference, the view is clearer, sharper, and far more colorful.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

 

In the latest NASA footage, astronauts described the aurora as “a green river of light flowing above Earth.” From above, it’s not just a spectacle—it’s a reminder of Earth’s ever-changing and living magnetic field. This perspective has inspired not just scientists but countless viewers around the globe.

4. NASA's 2025 Aurora Footage

On April 5, 2025, NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a striking video on social media showing green auroras illuminating the Earth as seen from the International Space Station (ISS). The footage quickly went viral, not just for its visual splendor but for the sense of scale it offered—showing how widespread and powerful auroras can be during peak solar activity.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

 

In this video, vibrant emerald hues pulse across Earth’s horizon like glowing ribbons, shimmering and shifting with the planet’s curvature. The footage was captured as the ISS passed over the Southern Ocean, between Antarctica and Australia, one of the most aurora-active regions on Earth due to its proximity to the South Magnetic Pole.

The auroras seen in the video were triggered by a recent burst of solar activity—specifically a coronal mass ejection (CME)—that interacted with Earth’s magnetosphere. Scientists tracking the event had predicted an intense geomagnetic storm, and Pettit’s video confirmed the phenomenon visually. The scene is nothing short of otherworldly, making it one of the most compelling aurora videos released in recent memory.

5. How Astronauts Capture Auroras

Filming auroras from the ISS isn’t just a matter of pressing record—it involves precision, preparation, and the right equipment. NASA equips astronauts with low-light DSLR cameras fitted with fast lenses to handle the dim glow of auroral emissions. Since the ISS travels at about 28,000 km/h, timing and positioning are crucial.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

1. Forecasting: Astronauts monitor real-time space weather data from NOAA and NASA’s solar observation satellites.
2. Planning: They track orbital paths to predict when the ISS will pass through or over active auroral regions.
3. Camera Settings: Long exposure times (1–10 seconds), high ISO (1600+), and wide apertures help capture faint details.
4. Time-Lapse Imaging: Multiple stills are often stitched together to create smooth, flowing aurora videos.
5. Processing: Images are corrected for contrast, noise, and color to match what the eye would see in space.

The astronauts’ efforts aren’t just artistic—they’re scientific. These videos help researchers study the shape, timing, and spread of auroras, which in turn improves our understanding of how solar storms interact with Earth’s magnetic shield.

6. What Auroras Reveal About Earth's Atmosphere

Green auroras aren’t just a visual delight—they provide valuable insights into Earth’s upper atmosphere and the invisible forces that shape our planet. Every auroral display is essentially a map of real-time space weather, showing how solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic and atmospheric layers.

e.g. “Image Credit: NASA”

• Atmospheric Composition: Different colors tell scientists which gases are present at specific altitudes—green for oxygen, purple for nitrogen.
• Magnetic Activity: The intensity and movement of auroras reflect disturbances in the geomagnetic field.
• Climate Indicators: Long-term aurora patterns are used in climate models to understand upper-atmosphere behavior over time.
• Satellite Health: Auroras reveal where charged particles may be interfering with satellites and communication networks.

From an astronaut’s perspective, auroras show Earth as a living, breathing organism—constantly interacting with its cosmic environment. And thanks to the unique view from the ISS, we can study this relationship like never before.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Don Pettit and why is he associated with auroras?

Don Pettit is a veteran NASA astronaut known for his scientific curiosity and exceptional photography from space. He has flown on multiple missions aboard the ISS and is widely recognized for capturing stunning visuals of auroras, city lights, and space phenomena. His recent 2025 aurora video added another gem to his portfolio, offering an unforgettable glimpse of green auroras from orbit.

What causes green auroras specifically?

Green auroras are caused by energetic particles from the sun colliding with oxygen atoms in Earth’s upper atmosphere. These collisions excite the oxygen atoms, which release green light as they return to a stable state. The green color typically occurs at altitudes of 100–150 km.

Can the ISS see auroras during every orbit?

No, aurora visibility from the ISS depends on several factors, including solar activity and the station’s orbit. However, since the ISS circles Earth every 90 minutes and passes over polar regions frequently, astronauts get multiple opportunities to observe auroras each day—especially during geomagnetic storms.

Why do we mostly see auroras near the poles?

Earth’s magnetic field directs solar particles toward the magnetic poles. That’s why auroras are most commonly observed in regions like Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Antarctica. These regions lie under what scientists call the “auroral ovals.”

Are auroras harmful to people or spacecraft?

Auroras themselves are harmless displays of light, but the charged particles that cause them can interfere with satellites, GPS systems, and power grids during strong solar storms. Spacecraft like the ISS are shielded and monitored closely to minimize such risks.

Can you see auroras with the naked eye as vividly as in photos?

Yes and no. While green auroras can appear bright to the naked eye, cameras—especially long exposure setups—capture more detail and color than the human eye can perceive in low light. From space, with no atmospheric distortion, the view is significantly clearer and more vibrant.

---

Conclusion

Green auroras are more than just a breathtaking natural wonder—they are a living testament to the invisible connections between Earth and the sun. Thanks to the International Space Station and astronauts like Don Pettit, we can now witness these luminous displays from a vantage point that few on Earth will ever experience. Floating above the planet, looking down at waves of emerald light dancing over the horizon, one cannot help but feel a renewed sense of wonder and humility.

The recent 2025 footage shared by Pettit is not just another viral video; it’s a window into a phenomenon that blends science, nature, and art in the most sublime way. It reminds us how small we are in the grand cosmic theater, and yet how connected we remain to the forces beyond our world. In a time when distractions are endless, green auroras command us to look up, to be still, and to remember that Earth is always in motion—always alive.

So whether you’re a dreamer, a scientist, or simply a stargazer, let this be your invitation: keep watching the skies. Because somewhere high above, the universe is always putting on a show just for us.

 

2025.04.10 - [Drama] - Pulse Season 2 What’s Next for Netflix’s High-Stakes Medical Drama?

Pulse Season 2 What’s Next for Netflix’s High-Stakes Medical Drama?