Watch: This is how Northern Lights look from space
What's the story
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim has shared a breathtaking video of the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, as seen from space. The footage was captured on September 8, 2025, and also shows fires in Calgary, Canada. "Northern Lights over North America, with fires visible in the Calgary region. Sept 8, 2025," Kim captioned his post on Instagram.
Astronaut profile
Kim's journey with NASA and ISS operations
Kim was selected by NASA in 2017. He is a dual-designated Naval Aviator and Flight Surgeon, having completed over 100 combat operations as a former Navy SEAL. In 2020, he started supporting International Space Station (ISS) operations as a Capsule Communicator (CapCom) in Mission Control Center Houston and the Artemis program, under the astronaut Exploration branch. He served as the ISS's Increment Lead for Expedition 65 in 2021.
Solar impact
Recent solar storms trigger stunning auroras
On November 12, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center confirmed G4 (Severe) storm levels, resulting in spectacular displays of the aurora borealis and aurora australis. These vibrant colors are produced when the charged particles from the solar wind interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The solar wind is released from the Sun's corona during solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Online response
Social media reacts to Kim's stunning video
The video shared by Kim has drawn a lot of attention on social media. Users were amazed at the beauty of Earth from space. "I love seeing our world from this view. Thanks for sharing Jonny!" one user wrote, while another said, "Omggg it's one thing to catch them on earth but to see them from space???!!! Amazing." A third user called it, "One of the best things I've ever seen online."