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NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently captivated audiences with a stunning timelapse video shared from the International Space Station (ISS). The footage showcases the moon setting against a backdrop of vibrant red and green auroras, a visual phenomenon intensified by recent solar eruptions. These geomagnetic storms have led to remarkable displays of auroras, drawing significant attention to Dominick’s extraordinary capture from 420 kilometers above Earth.
In his post on X, Dominick expressed his awe for the auroras, stating, “Timelapse of the moon setting into streams of red and green aurora followed by a sunrise lighting up Soyuz with a light blue.” He remarked on the exceptional beauty of the auroras observed in recent days and noted the perfect timing for testing a new lens that had just arrived on the Cygnus spacecraft.
Timelapse of the moon setting into streams of red and green aurora followed by a sunrise lighting up Soyuz with a light blue.
— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) August 12, 2024
The aurora have been amazing the past few days. Great timing for trying out a new lens that recently arrived on Cygnus.
15mm, T1.8, 1/3s exposure,… pic.twitter.com/otFv5pZ6vd
The video, which lasts approximately 1 minute and 48 seconds, not only highlights the mesmerizing auroras but also features a sunrise that casts a soft blue glow on the Soyuz spacecraft. Dominick provided technical details about the camera settings used to capture the video, including “15mm, T1.8, 1/3s exposure, 1/2 s interval.”
The auroras are a direct result of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon that has been particularly pronounced recently. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has noted that these geomagnetic storms are likely to persist, offering skywatchers more opportunities to witness these celestial displays. “These geomagnetic storms, triggered by charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, have been exceptionally intense, resulting in striking displays of the northern and southern lights,” stated NOAA representatives.
The ISS serves as a unique vantage point for observing such events, with astronauts frequently capturing and sharing breathtaking images and videos of Earth and space. As solar activity continues to rise, both scientists and enthusiasts are closely monitoring the skies, eager to document more of these mesmerizing moments. This recent surge in solar activity, characterized by more frequent solar flares and coronal mass ejections, not only disrupts power grids and satellite communications but also enhances the likelihood of aurora sightings far beyond the polar regions.
