NASA continues to amaze space enthusiasts with mesmerizing images of our universe from its various crafts in space. From the Moon to Mars and stars to galaxies, NASA’s advanced technologies have made it possible to visualize space in real-time. Now, NASA has shared yet another stunning image. NASA shared a breathtaking snapshot of Earth’s airglow on Instagram that was taken from the International Space Station (ISS).
This image was captured on November 14, 2023, when it was orbiting above the United States. The image showcases the Earth’s airglow outlining the planet’s horizon, with the Moon positioned above. According to NASA, when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere are excited by sunlight and emit light in order to shed their excess energy, this phenomenon is airglow. It is similar to auroras.
‘Dance’ of Earth’s airglow is simply mesmerizing! Just check out this NASA image from ISS – Detail Points
– NASA continues to amaze space enthusiasts with mesmerizing images of our universe
– Various crafts in space including the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, and the International Space Station
– NASA shared a stunning image of Earth’s airglow on Instagram
– Image captured on November 14, 2023, from the ISS orbiting above the United States
– Earth’s airglow is caused by atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere being excited by sunlight
– Airglow is similar to auroras but sparked by day-to-day solar radiation
– Studying airglow gives scientists a better understanding of the upper atmosphere’s temperature, density, and composition
– Image has over 8.1 lakh likes and numerous comments on Instagram
– The continuous efforts of NASA to capture the beauties of space keep space enthusiasts excited and curious about our universe.
What is Earth’s Airglow?
According to NASA, when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere are excited by sunlight and emit light in order to shed their excess energy, this phenomenon is airglow. It is similar to auroras. The only difference is that auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, but airglow is sparked by day-to-day solar radiation. As the post mentions, studying airglow gives scientists a better understanding upper atmosphere’s temperature, density, and composition. It also helps scientists trace how particles move through the region itself. NASA further writes, “Vast, high-altitude winds sweep through the ionosphere, pushing its contents around the globe — and airglow’s subtle dance follows their lead, highlighting global patterns.”
