When you think of the most breathtaking views from space, you might imagine a total solar eclipse or a comet streaking by. But for two NASA astronauts currently living on the International Space Station (ISS), the real showstopper is something far more dynamic and colorful: the auroras—both the northern and southern lights. In a press conference held on August 20, 2026, astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway shared their experiences after nearly six months in orbit, and their words have left space enthusiasts around the world in awe.
Why Auroras Beat Eclipses
Both astronauts admitted that the station's position prevented them from witnessing the total solar eclipse that occurred the previous week in all its glory. They did manage to see a partial eclipse, and they are eagerly anticipating a lunar eclipse scheduled for the coming week. 'We hope for the best. It should be something incredible,' Hathaway said, as reported by Associated Press.
However, for Meir, the most memorable moments of the mission have not been tied to eclipses at all. She explained that the Sun is currently emerging from the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, which makes auroras more intense and frequent. 'The aurora green dancing just below us was like a snake slithering right under our feet,' she described. 'You could see the green light reflecting off the white exterior of the space station.' This particular display was triggered by a powerful plasma ejection from the Sun, which caused the aurora to appear directly beneath the station rather than at the distant polar regions.
Mission Snapshot
- Launch: February 2026
- Return: September 2026 (next month)
- Crew: 3 Americans, 3 Russians, 1 French astronaut
- Vehicle for return: SpaceX capsule
Life Beyond the Windows
While the auroras stole the spotlight, the astronauts also shared lighter moments from their daily life in orbit. Meir, a marine biologist, appeared in a cooking segment wearing an apron decorated with a space cat, as she tested mustard greens and kale grown inside the station. This week, she and fellow astronaut Anil Menon—who arrived last month on a Russian capsule—filmed the first episode of 'Chez ISS', a cooking show aboard the station. Menon brought both the apron and a chef's hat specifically for the program.
Meir also brought a piccolo (a small flute) on her journey. On July 4, she played 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' by John Philip Sousa, which was pre-recorded and broadcast alongside the Boston Pops orchestra. She also showed off a bright violet bell-bottom pants and a scarf, a far more casual wardrobe than her previous spaceflight, during which she participated in the first all-female spacewalk.
Hathaway, a Navy captain, admitted that there's never a dull moment. 'There's always something to do,' he said, mentioning weekend karaoke nights with guitars and other instruments as a favorite pastime.
Understanding Auroras
For those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating brilliant displays of green, red, and purple lights near the poles. The ISS orbits at about 400 kilometers above Earth, giving astronauts a front-row seat to these natural light shows. The current solar cycle has been particularly active, making auroras more vivid and frequent—a treat for the crew and for skywatchers on the ground.
The mission, which began with a launch in February 2026, is scheduled to conclude next month when Meir and Hathaway return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule, after their replacements arrive. The current ISS crew consists of three Americans, three Russians, and one French astronaut.
This testimony from the astronauts reinforces what many scientists have long known: auroras are among the most spectacular phenomena in the universe, and from orbit, they are simply unmatched. As Meir put it, 'It was truly extraordinary.'
Source: Infobae