'Flying over northern lights': NASA astronaut shares incredible footage of 'intensely green' aurora from ISS

The video, shared on 6 January, shows green ribbons rippling over Earth. (Image: @astro_Pettit/X)

NASA astronaut Don Pettit captured an incredible aurora from space. The video, shared on 6 January, shows green ribbons rippling over Earth. Filmed from the International Space Station, the aurora reveals a rare view of this stunning natural phenomenon from above.

Flying over aurora; intensely green. pic.twitter.com/leUufKFnBB

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Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 6, 2025

The Sun has been highly active in recent weeks. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections have sent charged particles hurtling through space. These particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, producing the brilliant auroras seen near the poles. Green, pink, and blue hues illuminate the sky, tracing the planet’s magnetic field lines.

Scientists once struggled to explain the aurora’s green colour. Early researchers suspected hydrogen or an unknown element called "aurorium." Later studies identified oxygen as the source, but it puzzled physicists. Unlike other elements, oxygen takes almost a second to emit light. At lower altitudes, this energy is absorbed before it can shine. However, at around 100 kilometres, oxygen has enough space to glow, creating the aurora’s famous green light.

Astronauts have previously captured stunning auroras from space. Thomas Pesquet, Josh Cassada, and Koichi Wakata have all shared breathtaking images. As solar activity increases, more mesmerising displays are expected. With advanced cameras and satellites, scientists can now capture auroras in ways never seen before.