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Credit: NASA
On October 7, 2018, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) took this picture while he was in orbit at over 250 km altitude above Australia.
The orange hue that envelops the Earth is known as the "airglow," a diffuse band of light that extends 50 to 400 miles from our atmosphere. The phenomenon usually occurs when molecules (mainly nitrogen and oxygen) are activated by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. To release this energy, the atoms of the lower atmosphere jostle and lose energy during the collision. The result is a colorful airglow.
Airglow reveals some of the inner workings of the upper part of our atmosphere. It can help scientists better understand the movement of particles near the interface between Earth and space, including the links between space weather and the Earth's weather. Satellites offer a way to study this dynamic area. NASA's ICON (Ionospheric Connection Explorer) satellite will help scientists understand the physical processes at work in which the Earth's atmosphere interacts with the near-Earth space.
Explore further:
A magnificent 'airglow & # 39; Green spotted by the Aurora hunters – but what is it?
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