Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA Captured by ISS Science Officer Don Pettit
Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA
Photo: via NASA Captured by John Clarke (University of Michigan) and NASA
Photo: via NASA Captured by J.T. Trauger (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and NASA
Photo: via NASA Captured by John Clarke (University of Michigan) and NASA 
Photo: via NASA Captured by J.T. Trauger (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and NASA 
Photo: via NASA 
Photo: via NASA Captured by ISS Science Officer Don Pettit You've seen amazing images of the Aurora Borealis and its counterpart, the Aurora Australis here on Environmental Graffiti in the past, but now you have a chance to see them as never before: from space. If you think the view down on Earth is incredible beyond words, wait until you see what these natural light phenomena look like from the International Space Station and through the lens of the Hubble Telescope.
Aurorae are created when charged particles from the sun, called the solar wind, interact with the magnetic shield that surrounds our planet (and other planets as well). On Earth, this magnetic shield, called the magnetosphere, protects us from radiation by pushing the solar wind around it. Electromagnetic waves and electric fields are created, then transfer their energy into electrons that interact with oxygen and nitrogen to create the beautiful natural light display we know as Aurora.
Beautiful Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis was named by Pierre Gassendi in 1621 after Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, and Boreas, the Greek name for north wind. The Cree called it the "Dance of the Spirits."
Green Aurora Borealis with Manicouagan Impact Crater in View
In this picture of the Aurora Borealis, the Manicouagan Impact Crater, located in northern Canada, can be seen 300 km below. International Space Station Science Officer Don Pettit said that "changing auroras appeared to crawl around like giant green amoebas" in orbit.
Follow the Trail
Aurorae become more visible the closer one gets to either the north or south poles. At these extreme ends of the Earth, they may appear high up in the sky overhead, but farther away, they seem to rise up from the horizon as a green glow with tinges of red, like the "red crown" of Aurora Australis, seen in this picture. This image almost looks like a treasure map: follow the trail and get to what looks like a legendary castle in space.
Loop de loop: Sinuous Loop
Another image of the southern lights almost looks like loops of light created by huge glow sticks...
An Astronaut's View: Aurorae below
And here's the amazing view that the astronauts at the International Space Station get to see.
Fly Me To the Moon
In this image, the view of the Aurora Borealis from the International Space Station includes the shining lights of Finland, Russia, Estonia and Latvia. The Praesepe or Beehive Cluster in the constellation Cancer can be seen to the lower right of the moon, with Saturn to the right of that.
Aurora on Jupiter
And if you thought Aurorae were spectacular on Earth, check out this and the following pictures of amazing light shows on Jupiter and Saturn...
Aurorae on Saturn
This incredible image of Saturn features its famed rings and Aurorae at either end of the planet.
To see more pictures of auroras and other incredible light phenomena, go here and here.
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14 comments
John Davis (not verified) says:
Jun 5th, 2009 at 5pm
Wow, that is like way cool dude. I think you are on to something here!
RT
www.real-anonymity.pro.tc
ice_hot (not verified) says:
Jun 5th, 2009 at 5pm
great pics! makes me realize how beautiful God's creations are...
Rell Sanderson (not verified) says:
Jun 6th, 2009 at 6am
Hi,
As an Aurora Borealis enthusiast I really appreciate your article and pictures from space. At the end of the piece you have 2 links to other AB picture websites. There is another site with many photos that I think far surpass those. It is done by an amateur photographer who lives far North in Alaska and I think he deserves recognition. Here is the link:
http://www.ptialaska.net/~hutch/aurora.html
Respectfully,
Rell
RC Sihag (not verified) says:
Jun 8th, 2009 at 5am
Wonderful pictures that tell about the wonder Nature.
opit (not verified) says:
Jun 8th, 2009 at 9pm
While trying to chase down an image from the ISS I cropped for the header on my WordPress blog years ago, I came across these
http://spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01mar09.htm
The Envoy (not verified) says:
Jun 9th, 2009 at 3pm
Very informative. Great photos to boot. Any advice on photographing auroras?
Jordan (not verified) says:
Jun 10th, 2009 at 4pm
Just as beautiful from inside space, as it is on earth..i imagine.
Cool Pictures (not verified) says:
Jun 12th, 2009 at 1pm
Wow, these pictures just blew me away. Seen aurora from plane on way back from Canada to England but these are something else. Next best thing is to see them from the ground.
Kimberly (not verified) says:
Jun 15th, 2009 at 11am
I love the mysteries of space. This post was nothing short of amazing!
Peace and Light
1800 Postcards (not verified) says:
Nov 13th, 2009 at 6pm
I dream to one day see this for real. This is absolutely breath taking.
Dive Herald (not verified) says:
Absolutely stunning , I hope one day I'll see Aurora light by myself .
Great post