Latest news with #Crew-10
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What does lightning look like from space? See stunning photos from astronauts on ISS
It's safe to say that most of us have seen lightning here on Earth plenty of times – some of us have even been struck by it. But the natural phenomenon is one all but a few select individuals will ever have the chance to see from the vantage of 250 miles in orbit. Fortunately, a few astronauts over the years have been more than willing to generously share a glimpse of crashing lightning as seen from outer space. And you better believe it looks nothing like what we're used to seeing from the ground. The latest images of sky-splitting lightning came courtesy of two NASA astronauts who reached the International Space Station together in March after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. In May, Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain posted photos on social media site X of lightning roiling far, far beneath them. "This is what lightning looks like from the top down," McClain said in a post shared May 21. Here's a closer look at just what they managed to capture from above Earth's atmosphere. The images McClain and Ayers shared show electrostatic discharges – in other words, lightning – from above the clouds as they orbited in the International Space Station. In Ayers' post on X, she said she first observed lightning May 1 while suited up for a spacewalk outside the orbital outpost. She then managed to capture a few photos the next day, which she shared May 5. "I am so amazed by the view we have up here of our Earth's weather systems," Ayers posted. While it was unclear what part of Earth the lightning was striking in Ayers' photos, McClain said her images were captured over Alabama and Georgia. "Fast and furious, but also an incredible sight!" McClain said. The photos not only reveal the chaotic beauty of lightning, but could provide valuable orbital data to scientists studying the phenomenon back on Earth. Here's a look at some of the astronauts' photos: The photos were captured at speeds of 120 frames per second, with the depicted flashes only taking up one frame. The technique was pioneered by veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who is renowned for his astral photography. Pettit, who had arrived in September 2024 for his third and most recent space station stint, departed April 19, 2025, with two cosmonauts before safely landing in Kazakhstan on his 70th birthday. Ayers and McClain, who also recently made headlines for completing a rare all-female spacewalk, are among seven people living at the International Space Station. The crew of Expedition 73 includes three Americans, three Russian cosmonauts and one Japanese spacefarer from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa.) McClain and Ayers are both part of a SpaceX mission known as Crew-10 that reached the space station in March 2025. Their arrival with JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov paved the way for the NASA astronauts who crewed the doomed Boeing Starliner to depart with the Crew-9 mission. Also at the station is NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who reached the outpost in April 2025 with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Lightning from space: Astronauts post stunning weather images on X
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Axiom Space Ax-4 will launch with former NASA astronaut, a swan, and new SpaceX Dragon
A week away from their private mission to the International Space Station, four astronauts talked to the media from quarantine on June 3, showing off a plush toy they will be bringing with them into space. It's a swan named Joy, which has special significance to this Axiom crew, made up of astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary. "The swan is rich in cultural symbolism. (It) stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungry," said Mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. The four astronauts sat in front of the camera from quarantine in Florida to talk about their mission onboard a new SpaceX Dragon , which will launch no earlier than 8:22 a.m. June 10. The swan, Whitson said, symbolizes "grace and elegance." But it's more than just a fun companion to take in the new Dragon, it will also "signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch" signifying the crew has reached orbit. Organized by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, the international crew is set to liftoff on an approximately two week mission to the space station. While the crew plans about 60 scientific experiments, the Axiom missions are also aimed at advancing the company's goals of building a space station that will attach to the ISS before its planned 2030 retirement. NASA plans to shift low Earth orbit activities to contracts with private space companies, and Axiom is one of the companies paving the way with planned Axiom Station. "For me, returning to space is always a special experience," Whitson said during the June 3 press briefing. "Every mission is different. Every crew brings something new to the table." Whitson said it was a joy to work with her fellow three crew members: Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu. As for Joy, the swan may turn out to be even more than just a zero-g indicator, the crew suggested. It is noteworthy that the Axiom Mission 4 will be flying on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and it's tradition that the first crew to fly in a spacecraft gets to name it. This Dragon was originally set to ferry NASA's Crew-10 to the ISS back in March, but technical delays forced NASA and SpaceX to fly Crew-10 on another Dragon spacecraft. "The reason we selected this one may become more obvious once you hear the name of the vehicle," Whitson said with a laugh when questioned about the swan. The exact name of the spacecraft has yet to be revealed, but it's expected to be announced soon. SpaceX currently has four other Crew Dragon spacecrafts in rotation: Freedom, Endeavour, Resilience, and Endurance. It was Hungarian crew member, Kapu, who came up with the name for the swan. "We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful," said Kapu. "And joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship." Kapu spoke of swans flying over Lake Balaton in Hungry. "Now one will soar a little bit higher," he said. With the mission now set to lift off no earlier than June 10 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, here's a look at the multinational crew flying to the ISS. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be Axiom Space's fourth astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The company's first mission, Axiom Mission 1, flew to the ISS in April of 2022. The last mission, Axiom Mission 3, flew to the ISS in January 2024. The crew of four will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew consists of: Whitson, who is a former NASA astronaut and only crew member who has flown to space. Whitson also served as commander on Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson holds title of most time accumulated in space by an American. She was recently inducted to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India. India is currently creating its own human spaceflight program, with plans for two crewed and six uncrewed launches by 2028. Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. He will be the first Polish astronaut to visit the ISS. Mission Specialist Kapu from Hungary. Kapu will be the second Hungarian to fly to space, and the first to visit the ISS. When is the next launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral The mission marks the first government-sponsored spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary in more than 40 years. For this reason, it is stated to 'realize the return' to spaceflight for these countries. The crew will carry 60 scientific studies from 31 countries to the ISS. These Axiom astronaut missions are also working to pave the way for Axiom's planned space station. The first module is planned for attachment in 2027. The plan is for NASA to transition to the Axiom Station, and have SpaceX safely deorbit the aging ISS. The earliest parts of the ISS have been in orbit since 1998. A launch date for the first module of the Axiom Station has yet to be announced. Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest on Axiom Mission 4. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ax-4 astronauts reveal swan, tease name of new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
You've Never Seen the Northern Lights Like This—Astronauts Share Incredible View From Space
Experiencing the northern lights is on many travelers' bucket lists. But a NASA astronaut recently scored the ultimate encounter when she captured a unique view of the natural phenomenon from the International Space Station (ISS). On May 23, Nichole Ayers shared a video showing the aurora borealis spanning the Earth's poles. "The Aurora showed up this last weekend when I wasn't expecting it!" she wrote on X. "I was trying to capture the massive storms that went through both North and South America and got a nice surprise." Ayers headed to the ISS from Florida in March as part of NASA's Crew-10 mission with SpaceX. The northern lights are created when charged particles from the sun interact with gas molecules like oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere. These collisions create vibrant colors known as the northern lights. Ayers said the lights appeared around sunset over the northern U.S. and Canada. In April, Ayers shared a spectacular time-lapse video of her view from ISS. "Tried my hand at a few aurora time-lapses, and they aren't too bad! Working on exposures still but happy with the first attempt," she wrote on X. "We have the most amazing view, and I hope to share it with you! For those of us on Earth, you might have a chance to see the northern lights tonight and tomorrow. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), they will be most visible across Canada and Alaska, with a lower likelihood forecast for parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, Upper Michigan, and northern Wisconsin. Areas in Wyoming, South Dakota, northern Iowa, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine may also get a glimpse of the phenomenon. The agency says that the best time to view the northern lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, adding that the best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA astronaut captures rare Northern Lights aurora display over North America from the International Space Station
Source: X A recent celestial display left both Earthbound viewers and astronauts aboard the International Space Station in awe, as the Northern Lights lit up the skies over parts of the United States and Canada according to the ET reports. Captured by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers , the aurora appeared unexpectedly while she was photographing severe storms on Earth. The stunning green and purple lights were triggered by heightened geomagnetic activity, with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center reporting a Kp index of 6. This level of intensity not only enhanced visibility from space but also offered a breathtaking natural spectacle across much of the Northern Hemisphere. NASA astronaut captures glimpse of northern lights over North America Ayers subsequently posted the video online, showing colorful green and purple waves of aurorae swooshing through the top part of the atmosphere over much of the northern United States and Canada. "The Aurora appeared this past weekend when I didn't anticipate it!" Ayers posted. "I was attempting to catch the huge storms that moved through both North and South America and had a pleasant surprise." — Astro_Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tabletă 2 în 1 Ultraportabilă - Reducere Explozivă Azi! LYH Cumpără acum Undo The aurora occurred at local sunset times in the Northern Hemisphere and could be seen both from space and on Earth in parts of the US and Canada. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said the activity in the aurora was caused by high geomagnetic conditions, with the Kp index, a system for measuring the strength of geomagnetic storms reaching a level 6 out of a maximum of 9. A Kp index at this level tends to produce brighter and more extensive auroral activity, increasing visibility from Earth and low-Earth orbit. Ayers captures Earth's beauty while contributing to science Since her landing on the ISS in March 2025 as a member of NASA's Crew-10 mission aboard SpaceX, Ayers has posted regular time-lapse footage and Earth photography, providing both scientific information and visual magic. One of her earlier posts in April also recorded aurora activity while in orbit, showing how common and large such displays can be under good solar conditions. In a recent blog, Ayers commented on the double nature of her imagery: scientific usefulness and aesthetic beauty. "We see beauty, while scientists see data," she wrote. "These pictures can help researchers get the information they need." Ayers also discussed her filming of geological landforms, such as a flyby of Italy's Mt. Etna volcano, which is currently active. Observing the clear absence of city lights surrounding the active volcano, Ayers explained how she knew the landmark at once. "I knew right away where we were because of the absence of lights where the volcano is." What causes the northern lights Aurora borealis , or northern lights, are a result of the interaction between streams of charged particles that are emitted by the Sun, referred to as solar wind, and Earth's magnetosphere. The particles spiral down magnetic field lines towards the poles and collide with atoms in the upper atmosphere, specifically oxygen and nitrogen. These impacts eject photons, creating the aurora's characteristic glow. Green and red light are emitted by oxygen, while nitrogen adds purples and blues, yielding an active spectrum of color in the sky. Also Read | How big is the universe? Discover what scientists have uncovered beyond Pluto
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Northern Lights show surprises NASA astronaut on ISS
A Nasa astronaut on the International Space Station was recently surprised by a beautiful display of the Northern Lights while trying to photograph active storms on Earth. Astronaut Nichole Ayers shared the video above showing aurora lights dancing over the Earth's poles on May 23. "The Aurora showed up this last weekend when I wasn't expecting it!" Ayers wrote on X. "I was trying to capture the massive storms that went through both North and South America and got a nice surprise." The astronaut said the aurora lights appeared around sunset over the northern U.S. and Canada. Under the right space weather conditions, people on Earth in those areas could have seen the lights, too. At the time of the aurora lights, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a Geomagnetic Storm Warning with KP levels forecast to reach 6 out of 9. Vivid Northern Lights are created when energized particles from the Sun interact with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's magnetic field. During these space weather reactions, different molecules create different colors of light. Ayers launched to the ISS from Florida in March as part of NASA's Crew-10 mission with SpaceX. Since arriving at the station this spring, Ayers has enjoyed sharing amazing views of the Earth from space. One of her first time-lapse videos included this display of aurora lights in late article source: Northern Lights show surprises NASA astronaut on ISS
