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Cosmic Colors: Aurora Dazzles from ISS Orbit
21 Jan
Summary
- Aurora lights were filmed from the International Space Station.
- Solar storms cause charged particles to collide with atmospheric gases.
- Green is the most common aurora color, but red glows were visible.
Aurora lights, shimmering over Earth, were recently filmed from the International Space Station by cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov. This breathtaking phenomenon occurs when high-speed charged particles from solar storms collide with gases in our planet's atmosphere.
The most common color observed in auroras is green. However, other hues, such as pink and red, can also be visible depending on the atmospheric conditions and the types of gases involved.
During the strongest solar storm in two decades, which occurred recently relative to January 21, 2026, Kud-Sverchkov noted an abundance of red light. He poetically described the experience, stating it felt like 'we were literally sailing inside that light,' highlighting the immersive nature of the display.
