The natural phenomenon of the aurora has special feature that captivates people. Even if you haven’t seen this unique light show that mostly occurs near the poles, the International Space Station (ISS) provides a way for you to experience it. A special video shared on Instagram reveals the green aurora’s dance from space.
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The ISS described this phenomenon as “Nature’s fireworks,” mentioning that the video was taken while the space station was orbiting nearly 250 miles above Earth.
Why do auroras happen?
“These spectacular light shows occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s magnetosphere. The result is glowing auroras that are constantly moving, creating an array of bands that fold, swirl, and ripple,” the ISS explained.
“While often spotted from the ground near the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the orbiting laboratory’s unique vantage point gives low Earth orbit crews a front-row seat to the colorful spectacle,” they added.
The ISS, a large spacecraft orbiting Earth, offers a unique view of our planet and the universe. In addition to being “a home where crews of astronauts and cosmonauts live,” it also serves as a science laboratory conducting research to advance space exploration.
