Northern Lights Glimpse from Space

NASA astronaut Colonel Anne McClain shared a breathtaking video of the aurora borealis captured from aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, docked at the International Space Station (ISS), offering a spectacular view of Earth's glowing atmosphere.

What Happened

In early June 2025, Anne McClain posted a video on X showing vibrant green, purple, and red auroras as seen from the ISS Cupola, the station's panoramic window. She commented:

"Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites... It creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over the horizon."

Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It’s interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over… pic.twitter.com/4FGu5n0LpN

— COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) June 2, 2025

Scientific Context

Solar Activity and Aurora Mechanism

A recent solar flare triggered a coronal mass ejection (CME) that hit Earth's magnetic field, creating a geomagnetic storm of G4 intensity. Charged particles from the Sun collided with atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen, producing colorful emissions:

• Oxygen: green/red
• Nitrogen: blue/pink

Ground-Level Observations

The geomagnetic storm also generated visible auroras across parts of North America, reaching as far south as New Mexico and California. NOAA forecasts that mild geomagnetic activity may continue following this event.

The Astronaut's Perspective

McClain noted how the aurora framed the Dragon spacecraft in her video, highlighting satellite reflections to the left of the footage. Fellow astronaut Nichole "Vapor" Ayers noted increased auroral activity due to recent solar activity. McClain shared her awe and added "traveling to see auroras from Earth" to her bucket list.

Why It Matters

Scientific insight: Offers rare visual data on space weather and Earth's magnetospheric interactions.

Public engagement: The viral video (over 360,000 views) strengthens interest in science, space exploration, and STEM careers.

Space weather awareness: Understanding geomagnetic storms is essential as they can affect satellites, navigation, and power systems, though the latest storm was mild.

Community Reaction

Social media responses have been overwhelmingly positive:

"Magnificent. Such beauty. Mother Earth is the Ultimate Artist."

"Stunning aurora, Anne! ... Great bucket list pick!"

About Anne McClain

• Rank: Colonel, U.S. Army & NASA astronaut; call sign "Annimal"
• Missions: Soyuz MS‑11 (Expeditions 58/59) and SpaceX Crew‑10 (Expeditions 72/73)
• Background: Holds degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering; former Army helicopter pilot and Marshall Scholar
• Awards: Includes Defense Superior Service Medal and multiple NASA mission citations

Conclusion

Anne McClain's video offers both a mesmerizing glimpse of Earth's natural grandeur and a valuable scientific perspective on space weather. Her sincere reflections and professional remarks underscore the importance of space-based observation for advancing science and inspiring global audiences.