NASA’s ‘spectacular’ space photo of southern light’s aurora over Earth – USA TODAY

NASA releases space telescope images of Jupiter

NASA releases new images from the James Webb Space Telescope showing Jupiter and its norther and southern lights. (Aug. 22)

AP

Is NASA campaigning to have the galaxy's best Instagram page? It sure seems that way with the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope of Jupiter and last month's stunning shots of the Carina Nebula and Southern Ring Nebula.

And now, the space agency is sharinga remarkable image of the southern lights, or aurora australis, taken from the International Space Station.

The southern lights, which are similar to theaurora borealis, can be seen best from Tasmania, New Zealandand Antarctica, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Its "incredible atmospheric lightshow" is "just as captivating" as that of the aurora borealis,the magazine says.

In the image, which NASA posted on Instagram andon its own site Tuesday, a greenish glow arises above the curve of the Earth.The color changes to red as the light goes higher above the horizon. At the right, a section ofthe International Space Station can be seen.

'Frightening' audio from space: Here's what a black hole sounds like, according to NASA.

The moon in full: Two photographers used 250,000 pictures to create one stunning color image

"The vibrant displays of light around Earths North and South Poles are caused by the interaction of solar particles, ejected by the Sun, and our planets protective magnetic field," NASA's Instagram post of the image describes.

During large solar storms, the post continues, "the Sun spews large bubbles of electrified gas which collide with our magnetic field at its North and South Poles and enter our atmosphere ...these energized solar particles collide with atmospheric gases resulting in beautiful displays of light."

When the particles collide with oxygen in the atmosphere, "they give off rich red and green hues as seen in this image. Conversely, if these same particles collide with nitrogen in our atmosphere they illuminate the sky in glows of blue and purple," NASA said.

Bob Hines, a pilot currently on the ISS, took the picture and several others he posted on Twitter last week, noting the "Absolutely SPECTACULAR aurora today!!"

On Twitter, Hines answeredsome questions about the images including one tweet that asked: "Are you tweeting from space?"

"Yup," Hines responded.

On Instagram, the image had nearly 1 million likes on Wednesday, including one from the rock band Garbage. Along with the images, NASA encouraged its followers to "Let your light shine."

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter:@mikesnider.

See the article here:
NASA's 'spectacular' space photo of southern light's aurora over Earth - USA TODAY