VITA mission ‘Timelapse a Day’ edition – Aurora over northern America

A series of nighttime photos were taken by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli to create this time-lapse of the Aurora over northern America as seen from the Space Station; in this time-lapse you can also see one of the Station’s huge solar panels.

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli in currently working and living on board the International Space Station as part of the Italian Space Agency’s long-duration VITA mission.

[BurnabyAlex]

When you look at the stars pass thru the atmosphere, you can see their motion speed up and slow down. I think there's the possibility of mapping the atmosphere density by looking at how light is distorted by the air layers.

[daisyduck]

There is much dirt on the lenses or on the window...