Aurora from Space
Explanation:
What do auroras look like from space?
From the ground,
auroras dance high
above clouds, frequently causing
spectacular displays.
The
International Space Station
(ISS) orbits just at the same height as many
auroras, though.
Therefore, sometimes it
flies over them,
but also sometimes it flies right through.
The auroral
electron and
proton
streams are too thin to be a danger to the
ISS, just as
clouds pose little danger to
airplanes.
ISS
Science Officer
Don Pettit captured a green aurora,
pictured above in a digitally sharpened image.
From orbit,
Dr. Pettit reports, changing
auroras
can appear to crawl around like giant green
amoebas.
Far below, on planet Earth, the
Manicouagan Impact Crater can be seen in northern
Canada.
Have you seen today's:
Space Station Picture of the Day?
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
