Astronauts on the International Space Station can fly directly through the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. These collisions typically happen at altitudes ranging from 60 to 400 miles above the surface. Since the International Space Station (ISS) maintains a stable orbit at approximately 250 miles, it frequently passes through the active regions of these light displays.NASA astronauts have documented these encounters since the station's early years, often describing the experience as flying through a glowing green fog. The colors are determined by the type of gas involved and the altitude of the collision. Oxygen produces the iconic green light at lower altitudes and red light at the highest points, while nitrogen creates blue or purple hues.The phenomenon is driven by the solar wind, which carries electrons and protons toward Earth's magnetic poles. When solar activity increases, such as during a Coronal Mass Ejection, the auroras become more intense and expand toward the equator. This provides astronauts with a front-row seat to one of the most powerful energy transfers in the solar system.Instruments on the ISS, like the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) launched in 2019, help scientists study how these particles interact with the upper atmosphere. These observations are crucial for understanding space weather, which can affect satellite communications and power grids on Earth. For the crew, the view remains a stunning reminder of the thin, protective layer of our planet's atmosphere.