Mesmerizing Timelapse Video Captured by ISS Astronaut

In a mesmerizing video shot by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick from the International Space Station (ISS), a fleeting meteor, stars, and auroras are seen sparkling in space. The footage captures the beauty of Earth’s atmosphere just before sunrise, showcasing a variety of celestial phenomena in a single breathtaking view.

A Stunning Celestial Display

The timelapse video, shared by Dominick on July 21, was recorded from the Cupola module of the ISS, with the robotic Canadarm2 visible in the foreground. The video features auroras winding through Earth’s atmosphere, passing satellites, glittering stars, and a meteor streaking towards Earth. 

“If you watch carefully, partway through you can see a meteor streak towards Earth,” Dominick noted in his post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Science Behind Auroras

Auroras, commonly known as the northern lights or southern lights, are created by the collision of the Sun’s charged particles, called the solar wind, with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in Earth’s atmosphere. This collision produces the glowing lights that dance across the night sky in shades of green and purple. 

This year, intense auroras have been sighted more frequently due to the solar maximum, a period when the Sun reaches peak solar activity in its 11-year cycle. The increased solar activity results in more solar particles bombarding Earth, leading to more frequent and vivid auroras.

An Astronaut’s Perspective

Matthew Dominick, the commander of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, has been aboard the ISS since its launch on March 3, 2024. In addition to his assigned tasks, which include maintaining the space station and conducting scientific experiments, Dominick has been capturing stunning images and videos from space.

He previously shared another unique shot taken from the Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, which carried the Crew-8 astronauts to the space station. The picture, illuminated by moonlight, featured stars and part of the Milky Way in the background, highlighting the awe-inspiring beauty of space.

Dominick’s posts provide a glimpse into the life of an astronaut and the incredible views they experience from their vantage point in orbit.

The timelapse video captured by Matthew Dominick is a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of our universe. As the ISS continues its mission, we can look forward to more stunning visuals and scientific discoveries from the astronauts on board. 

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