by Lee Moran: These ultra high-definition time-lapse videos filmed from the ISS are simply out of this world…
Thank you NASA!
The space agency shared a wonderful new view of the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis in stunning ultra high-definition footage posted online.
Time-lapse videos shot from the International Space Station show the phenomenon, also known respectively as the Northern and Southern Lights, swirling around in full swing below.
It’s simply breathtaking:
NASA uploaded the clip to YouTube on Sunday, and the sublime footage is going viral. Remember to switch your settings to 4K. It may use up more bandwidth but trust us, it’s worth it.
The Northern and Southern Lights are nicknamed with regard to their respective proximity to the North and South Poles.
They take place, on opposite sides of the planet, “when electrically charged protons and electrons in the Earth’s magnetic field collide with neutral atoms in the upper atmosphere,” NASA says.
The aurora usually occur between 55 to 80 miles above sea level and are most frequently witnessed within a 1,500 mile radius from their respective pole, according to the Tromsø Geophysical Observatory in Norway.
Although usually associated as occurring in wintertime, they actually take place throughout the entire year — although we can’t see them as much in the sunnier months.
In the U.S., they aren’t usually visible in the lower 48 states. So it could be worth taking a trip to one of these exotic locations to get your fix.
