A stunning image of a green and red aurora lighting up the night sky above Europe was captured on January 19, 2026. The photograph, taken from the International Space Station as it orbited over the Mediterranean Sea, shows the aurora looking northward across Italy toward Germany. Auroras, also known as the northern and southern lights, are captivating displays created by interactions between solar particles and Earth’s atmosphere, leading to colorful and dynamic light shows in the sky.
These auroras are a result of space weather, with energetic particles from the Sun colliding with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing the mesmerizing glow that we witness. This particular image gives us a glimpse of the intricate dance of particles and magnetism that occurs during these celestial light displays.
Image credit: NASA/Chris Williams
Original Source: NASA