The video, shared on social media, provides a unique perspective of the Southern Aurora, or Aurora Australis, from space. This stunning display was created when charged particles from the Sun interacted with Earth’s magnetic field, illuminating the Southern Hemisphere with vibrant colors.
Experience the Southern Aurora From Space
In her timelapse post, Meir expressed that this experience was unlike any previous auroras she had observed from orbit.
“Here’s a timelapse view from our SpaceX Dragon of the stunning southern aurora featured in yesterday’s post, resulting from a recent solar event,” she stated on X. “Unlike previous auroras I’ve seen, this one danced and snaked directly below us, putting on an extraordinary display.”
She commented that the phenomenon left her “in awe” due to its beauty and emotional resonance.
The footage illustrates bright green bands of auroras moving across Earth’s atmosphere beneath the spacecraft, delivering a remarkable visual treat seldom seen from the ground.
A timelapse view from our @SpaceX Dragon of the spectacular southern aurora seen in yesterday’s post, a result of a recent solar event. As opposed to the previous aurora I’ve seen, this one danced and snaked its way directly below us, putting on quite a show. I am in awe of this… pic.twitter.com/ReztjH3x9H
— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) June 7, 2026
Solar Flare Initiated the Light Show
The aurora followed a recent solar eruption closely observed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Per NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Centre, active region AR 4461 unleashed an M1.8-class solar flare at 06/1401 UTC. This incident was associated with a filament eruption and a subsequent coronal mass ejection (CME), with detailed analysis still ongoing.
NOAA noted that an Earth-directed component of the CME is expected and may reach Earth around June 8, based on initial estimates.
The agency clarified that solar flares are intense bursts of energy from the Sun that can sometimes disrupt radio communications and enhance auroral activity when solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field.
AR 4461 produced an M1.8 flare at 06/1401 UTC. This event was associated with a filament eruption and subsequent CME of which analysis and modeling is currently underway. An Earth-directed component is currently anticipated and would likely arrive on June 8th by rough estimates. pic.twitter.com/bSWGEyCPez
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) June 6, 2026
Aurora Observed Amid Ongoing ISS Operations
The aurora sighting coincided with heightened activity aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
In a prior social media update, Meir reported that the crew was safe amidst ongoing operations on the orbiting laboratory and emphasized the Southern Aurora as one of the extraordinary sights visible from space.
“There’s a lot of activity on the ISS right now, but thankfully we are safe and witnessed a breathtaking southern aurora show yesterday due to a recent solar event,” she wrote.
There is a lot going on right now on the @Space_Station, but fortunately we are all safe and witnessed a spectacular southern aurora show yesterday thanks to a recent solar event. pic.twitter.com/25XaoMw2Rk
— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) June 6, 2026
Recently, NASA confirmed that astronauts aboard the station temporarily sheltered in their docked spacecraft while teams assessed an air leak in the Russian segment of the ISS. This precautionary measure was later lifted following comprehensive evaluations by NASA and Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos.
Why Auroras Are Different From Space
Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating colorful displays near the polar regions.
While individuals on the ground typically view auroras from below, astronauts aboard spacecraft and the ISS can observe them at eye level as they pass over Earth’s poles. This unique vantage point frequently reveals the entire scale and movement of the glowing atmospheric curtains.
Meir’s latest timelapse showcases this perspective, capturing the Southern Lights flowing directly beneath the spacecraft as solar activity continues to shape space weather around Earth.
(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)
First Published: Jun 8, 2026 3:48 PM IST
