00:00Auroras are incredibly beautiful atmospheric events that occur when solar particles ejected
00:08by the Sun interact with our planet's protective barrier.
00:11They are effectively magnetic storms that ignite the sky in a gorgeous array of colors,
00:16an array that from the ground is many times a once in a lifetime sight for most.
00:20However, this is an even rarer viewpoint, one that was actually captured from above
00:25the aurora itself.
00:26This video is captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit from the International Space Station.
00:31Currently our Sun is at its maximum, the apex of its 11-year solar cycle, where its surface
00:36activity is at its most intense.
00:39During this period, our solar system's central star will exhibit more frequent and more intense
00:43coronal mass ejections.
00:44These eruptions of plasma are jettisoned out into the cosmos, sending charged particles
00:49into nearby space.
00:50If that ejection happens to occur in our direction, that's when we get geomagnetic storms that
00:55result in these wild, colorful cosmic shows.
00:58Auroras usually occur at altitudes of around 60 miles, with the ISS orbiting around 200
01:04miles above that.
Comments