NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a time-lapse video showing the Southern Lights as seen from a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft [1].
The footage provides a rare orbital perspective of the aurora australis, offering the public a visual record of atmospheric phenomena from the Crew-12 mission.
Meir captured the sequence from inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule while the vessel was in orbit [1]. The video highlights the shimmering lights of the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing the interaction between solar particles and Earth's magnetic field from a vantage point far above the atmosphere.
According to the records, the time-lapse was shared June 7, 2024 [1]. The release of the footage is intended to highlight the unique views available to crew members during their transit and stay in space.
While some reports of lights in the sky during similar periods attributed sightings to Starlink launches, the footage provided by Meir specifically documents the aurora australis [1]. The video serves as a scientific and visual record of the Southern Lights, which are typically visible only from high-latitude regions on the ground.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule served as the primary transport for the Crew-12 mission, allowing astronauts to maintain a continuous observation of the planet below. By documenting these events, NASA and SpaceX provide data and imagery that assist in public outreach and the study of planetary atmospheres [1].
“The footage provides a rare orbital perspective of the aurora australis.”
The availability of high-resolution orbital imagery of the aurora australis allows scientists and the public to observe geomagnetic activity without the interference of Earth's cloud cover or atmospheric haze. By utilizing the Dragon spacecraft's vantage point, NASA can better document the scale of solar events and their impact on the Southern Hemisphere's atmosphere.
