A photograph featuring the Aleutian Islands is accentuated by the vivid luminosity of the northern lights and the moon’s reflective glow. The image was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on September 17, 2022. (Click the image to access a high-resolution, uncaptioned version.)
The vibrant emanations of the northern lights and lunar reflections brilliantly illuminate this spaceborne photograph of Alaska’s island chain.
An astronaut stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) took this remarkable image of the Aleutian Islands situated off the Alaskan mainland. The islands are lit by a rare occurrence called moonglint—similar to sunglint but unique to lunar light reflecting off water at specific angles. The rarity of capturing moonglint in space photography amplifies the significance of this photograph.
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Genesis of the Aleutian Islands
While various archipelagos come into existence through mechanisms like erosion and sea level rise, the majority, including the Aleutians, are created through volcanic activity. Encompassing an expanse of approximately 6,800 square miles (17,611 square kilometers), the island chain stretches southwest and then northwest, covering a distance of about 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) from the Alaskan Peninsula to Attu Island (not depicted in the image). The Aleutians delineate the boundary between the primary body of the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Bering Sea to the north.
Observation of the Northern Lights
A conspicuous green glow high in Earth’s atmosphere is noticeable in the photograph. This manifestation is referred to as the aurora borealis or the northern lights. Energetic outbursts from the Sun, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, occasionally traverse space to interact with Earth’s magnetic field. This interplay between the solar radiation and Earth’s magnetic field is responsible for the colorful display depicted in the photograph. The auroras manifest in various shades, ranging from greens and yellows to purples and reds. Similar phenomena occur in the southern hemisphere, termed the aurora australis (southern lights).
The photograph, labeled ISS067-E-363431, was acquired on September 17, 2022, utilizing a Nikon D5 digital camera with a focal length of 28 millimeters. It has been made available by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at the Johnson Space Center. A member of the Expedition 67 team captured the image, which has undergone cropping and enhancement for improved contrast, and any lens artifacts have been eliminated. The International Space Station Program sponsors this lab as part of the ISS National Lab to facilitate astronauts in capturing Earth images of maximum utility to both the scientific community and the general public. These images are openly accessible on the Internet. The caption was provided by Minna Adel Rubio, of GeoControl Systems, under a JETS Contract at NASA-JSC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about astronaut’s photograph of Aleutian Islands
What is the main subject of the article?
The main subject of the article is a photograph taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, featuring the Aleutian Islands illuminated by moonglint and the aurora borealis.
When was the photograph taken?
The photograph was taken on September 17, 2022.
What is moonglint?
Moonglint is a phenomenon similar to sunglint but unique to lunar light. It occurs when the Moon’s light reflects off water at specific angles. Capturing moonglint is considered rare in astronaut photography.
What is the aurora borealis and how is it caused?
The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is a natural light display primarily seen in high-latitude regions. It is caused by the interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and solar radiation, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
How were the Aleutian Islands formed?
Most of the Aleutian Islands were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. They occupy an area of about 6,800 square miles and arc for about 1,100 miles from the Alaskan Peninsula to Attu Island.
What camera was used to take the photograph?
The photograph was captured using a Nikon D5 digital camera with a focal length of 28 millimeters.
Who provided the caption for the photograph?
The caption for the photograph was provided by Minna Adel Rubio, of GeoControl Systems, under a JETS Contract at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Is the photograph freely available to the public?
Yes, the photograph is made freely available on the Internet as part of the ISS National Lab initiative to provide images of Earth that are of value to scientists and the general public.
What enhancements were made to the original image?
The original image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast. Lens artifacts have also been removed to improve the quality.
What is the significance of the image?
The image is significant for its rare capture of moonglint and its vivid depiction of the aurora borealis, along with its geological insights into the Aleutian Islands.
More about astronaut’s photograph of Aleutian Islands
- International Space Station Crew Earth Observations Facility
- Aurora Borealis: What Causes the Northern Lights?
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center
- The Formation of Archipelagos
- Understanding Moonglint: An Astronomical Perspective
- Nikon D5 Digital Camera Specifications
- ISS National Lab
- JETS Contract at NASA-JSC
10 comments
Impeccable writing! Though, I do wonder how often astronauts get to capture phenomena like moonglint. Seems pretty rare to me.
I’ve seen the northern lights but had no idea about the science behind it. This article breaks it down so well!
The Aleutians forming the boundary between the Pacific and the Bering Sea… never thought geography could be this fascinating.
Really good read, but where can I find the actual pic? Would love to see it in high-res.
the Aleutian islands seem like an interesting place. Volcanic eruptions, huh? adds a new layer of awe.
Had to look up half the terms, but learned a lot. Articles like this make the internet worth it!
i’m curious about how they enhance these pics. like, what tech do they use to get it this perfect?
That’s some fancy camera to catch details like that. Nikon D5, wasn’t it? gotta get my hands on one.
Wow, never knew moonglint was a thing! Really makes that pic stand out, huh.
So this was part of ISS National Lab’s efforts? Good to know my tax dollars are going somewhere useful.