NASA Astronaut Captures Aurora Australis Timelapse from SpaceX Dragon
5 reported
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, a member of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission, released a timelapse video showing the aurora australis, or southern lights, as seen from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Meir described the aurora as dancing and snaking directly below the spacecraft, calling it an ethereal and emotionally evocative phenomenon. The auroras appear near the poles because Earth’s magnetic field channels charged particles from the sun toward those regions, where they collide with the atmosphere and create shimmering curtains of color. Meir noted that this aurora was different from previous ones she had observed.
What’s reported
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is part of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission.
Meir released a timelapse showing the aurora australis from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Auroras appear near the poles because Earth’s magnetic field channels charged particles from the sun toward those regions.
The particles collide with the atmosphere, creating shimmering curtains of color.
Meir wrote on social media: “As opposed to the previous aurora I’ve seen, this one danced and snaked its way directly below us, putting on quite a show. I am in awe of this ethereal and emotionally evocative phenomenon.”
Key figures
Jessica Meir, NASA astronaut, member of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission.
Sources: The Guardian
