What does the aurora look like from space?

The Aurora Borealis, or Nothern Lights, and its counterpart in the southern hemisphere the Aurora Australis, is the name given to one of our planet's most incredible atmospheric phenomena.

When charged particles ejected from the surface of the sun collide with the upper reaches of our atmosphere, they energise atmospheric gases causing them to emit a luminous glow. The resulting lightshow has been observed and recorded for millennia, but it is only in the last few decades that we have begun to understand exactly how and why they form.

Much of our understanding of the aurora and related phenomena is only possible thanks to the work of intrepid astronauts aboard the International Space Station. A collaborative project by NASA, Japanese space agency JAXA, Canadian Space Agency CSA, European Space Agency ESA and Russian organisation Ruscosmos, the International Space Station plays hosts to astronauts from around the world. Onboard, they conduct vital research into every aspect of life in space, equipping us with useful knowledge about how we might survive further ventures beyond our own 'solar back garden'.

Alongside their scientific duties, though, the inhabitants of the ISS also send back to Earth a treasure trove of stunning imagery of the planet below. Their photos and videos expand our understanding of the world and keep alive our collective passion for space and exploration. Especially at a time when many of us are confined to our homes or our immediate environments, images that show our planet from further away are a welcome invitation to focus on the future and the adventures that are still to come.

NASA’s video of the Northern Lights

That's why today, we're celebrating the International Space Station, in this video showing some of the most incredible views astronauts have shared of the aurora from space.

While we've yet to capture an aurora on camera ourselves, our stunning photos and videos of the Earth from space inspire a similar awe. If you're looking for a way to capture the imaginations of an audience, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help with a dedicated space marketing exercise.