As amazing as the swirling glow of aurora lights looks from Earth's surface, it's even more magical when seen from space. The astronauts on the International Space Station are often treated to stunning aurora vistas as they circle the planet. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams posted a time-lapse video on Twitter showing an aurora approaching and lighting up the station with a spectacular light show.
The short video takes a slow-build approach, starting with the green aurora sparkling along the dark, curved line of the Earth in the distance. Protruding parts of the space station are visible in the frame. The light grows, eventually illuminating the planet's cloud cover with a verdant glow.
Like many modern-day ISS astronauts, Williams is active on social media, sharing landscape and weather photos from his eye-way-up-in-the-sky vantage point. Earlier this year, he became the first astronaut to explore the cold environs of the new Bigelow Expandable Activity Module inflatable room. Expect more glorious aurora shots since Williams isn't due back on Earth until September.
