A SpaceX Crew-12 commander captured a timelapse video of vivid auroral ribbons from low-Earth orbit in June 2025 [1], [2].
The footage provides a rare perspective of planetary atmospheric phenomena, illustrating the scale of geomagnetic storms as they appear from beyond the atmosphere.
Filmed from a SpaceX Dragon capsule, the video shows the lights shimmering across the horizon [1], [3]. The spacecraft was positioned at an altitude of approximately 257 miles [4]. This vantage point allowed the astronaut to document the movement of the ribbons as they shifted over the Earth's surface.
Reports on the specific nature of the lights vary. Some sources identify the display as the aurora australis, known as the southern lights [1], [2]. Other reports describe the footage as the aurora borealis, or northern lights [3].
The video was released to the public in early June 2025 [2], [3]. It was intended to share the spectacular nature of the display with those on the ground. The footage highlights the interaction between solar particles and the Earth's magnetic field, which creates the ethereal glow seen in the timelapse.
Similar celestial events have been documented by other orbital missions. For instance, a Japanese astronaut captured aurora photos from the International Space Station between Oct. 13 and Oct. 17, 2025 [5]. While the platforms and dates differ, these recordings collectively contribute to the visual record of space weather patterns.
The Crew-12 commander used the Dragon capsule's windows to frame the ribbons of light against the darkness of space. The resulting video serves as both a scientific document and a visual representation of the planet's protective magnetic shield.
“vivid auroral ribbons from low-Earth orbit”
The capture of high-resolution auroral footage from a private spacecraft like the SpaceX Dragon underscores the increasing accessibility of low-Earth orbit for non-governmental crews. By documenting these events from 257 miles above the surface, astronauts provide data that complements ground-based observations of solar activity and geomagnetic storms.
