Astronaut Captured Aurora Photos From Space Station
NASA astronaut Anil Menon documented northern lights using an iPhone while orbiting aboard the International Space Station.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Space
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NASA astronaut Anil Menon captured high-altitude images of northern lights from the International Space Station on Oct. 10. The photographs were taken using an iPhone after coronal mass ejections caused geomagnetic storms.
Why it matters
These images provide a unique orbital perspective on the atmospheric reaction occurring when charged solar particles strike the Earth's magnetic field. This display resulted from coronal mass ejections that triggered geomagnetic storms reaching G3 intensity.
The auroras were observed during geomagnetic storms ranging from G1 to G3 intensity. Nitrogen emits blue-purple hues at altitudes of 60 to 120 miles, while oxygen atoms generate red colors above 125 miles.
The players
Anil Menon
Anil Menon is a NASA astronaut who conducted these observations while serving on the International Space Station.
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit that serves as a research laboratory for international scientific collaboration.
The details
The auroras form when charged particles travel along magnetic field lines toward polar regions and collide with atmospheric gases. A subtle blur is visible in the images due to the orbital velocity of the International Space Station during the capture.
Timeline
Oct. 10, 2026: Anil Menon captured aurora images from the International Space Station.
The Big Picture
This event updates observations of solar-atmospheric interactions relative to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center's geomagnetic storm scale. It highlights how space-based assets allow researchers to capture phenomena that are typically obscured from ground-level vantages.
Enhanced understanding of aurora formations and geomagnetic storms helps scientists better protect global satellite networks from solar interference. These observations contribute to the broader study of space weather, which is essential for ensuring the longevity of communication and GPS technology.
The takeaway
Capturing auroras from space demonstrates how modern commercial hardware like an iPhone can contribute to scientific observation. Readers interested in northern lights should monitor solar activity reports to identify the best opportunities to view these displays from Earth.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing research and exploration in our Space section.
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Do you trust current smartphone cameras to capture high-quality images of the night sky?
