While solar eclipses offer a unique spectacle, the most breathtaking views from space are of the northern and southern lights, according to astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway. The pair, who have been living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the past six months, shared their experiences with The Associated Press.
Although the ISS's orbit prevented them from witnessing the totality of a recent solar eclipse, they observed a partial eclipse and plan to watch an upcoming lunar eclipse. "We're hoping for the best. It should be pretty awesome," said Hathaway.
Meir, the station's commander, highlighted the auroras as the most captivating celestial displays. With the sun currently in an active phase, the aurora borealis and australis have become more vibrant. She recalled one instance where a large solar plasma emission resulted in a dramatic display of green aurora directly beneath the station, an unusual sight compared to the typical views near the poles.
"It looked like a snake making its way right beneath us and that was a really extraordinary one," Meir described. "You could see the green light bouncing off the white outside exterior of the space station."
Life aboard the ISS also includes culinary experiments and personal pursuits. Meir participated in a cooking segment called "Chez ISS" with crewmate Anil Menon, donning a space cat-adorned apron while tasting greens grown on the station. Menon, who arrived on the station in a Russian capsule, brought a chef's toque for his cooking show. Meir also brought a piccolo, with which she prerecorded a performance of John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" for the Boston Pops on July 4.
For leisure, Meir has also embraced more casual attire, including a scarf and glittery bell bottoms. Hathaway, while perhaps less inclined towards culinary or musical endeavors, stated that boredom is not an issue on the station, with activities like weekend karaoke nights providing entertainment.
Meir, a marine biologist, and Hathaway, a Navy captain, are scheduled to return to Earth next month via SpaceX, following the arrival of their replacements. The current ISS crew comprises three Americans, three Russians, and one French astronaut.