Astronaut captures stunning green aurora behind Soyuz spacecraft near ISS
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick captured a striking image of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft against a green aurora backdrop from the International Space Station (ISS). The remarkable photo was taken during Expedition 71 in 2024, when the ISS was orbiting Earth. Dominick shared the image on X , noting the proximity of the aurora due to recent solar activity. The photo highlights the Soyuz spacecraft, illuminated by light from the sun that was just beginning to rise behind the camera, creating a unique visual contrast.
The green aurora in the background is caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles excite oxygen molecules, resulting in the characteristic green glow often associated with the aurora. The image, taken with specific camera settings (1/4s, f1.4, 50mm, ISO 6400), was carefully composed to capture the Soyuz without overwhelming the delicate aurora.
Dominick, a member of SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission that arrived at the ISS in March 2024, has become known for his photography skills. During his six-month mission, he captured an estimated 200,000 photos, documenting everything from spacecraft docked to the ISS to natural phenomena like meteors and aurora borealis. His photos serve both scientific purposes, such as Earth observation and ISS maintenance, as well as a glimpse into the awe-inspiring sights astronauts experience in space.
Recent solar activity has pushed the aurora closer to us. The Soyuz hangs at the station in a stream of aurora.
Soyuz is illuminated in light blue by a sun behind the camera and in front of the space station as it is about to take off.
1/4s, f1.4, 50mm, ISO 6400 photo.twitter.com/fjQcI5nVy5
—Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) August 2, 2024
Dominick’s passion for photography is evident in his work, as he often uses his free time to capture these extraordinary moments. His recent photo of the Soyuz and the green aurora is a testament to the unique vantage point astronauts have aboard the ISS. The combination of the spacecraft and the natural light creates a captivating scene that highlights the beauty and complexity of space exploration.
During an event at X Spaces, Dominick expressed his admiration for the views from the ISS, acknowledging the widespread fascination with the images he shares. His work continues to inspire people on Earth and provides a window into the breathtaking environment of space.
