Astronaut takes awe-inspiring picture of Earth’s airglow from space

Earth’s airglow is one of many glowing phenomena known to mankind.

And it is arguably one of the most beautiful to behold.

READ MORE: Astronaut Mark Vande Hei returned to earth a changed man after 355 days aboard the ISS

A variety of glowing phenomena can be created by the interaction between light from the sun and atmosphere particles.

That is exactly what generates the Northern and Southern lights.

But it also generates a lesser known effect known as airglow.

One of the best and clearest picture of Earth’s airglow was taken by NASA and ESA astronaut, Andreas Mogensen (pictured below), from the ISS.

He was able to capture a double airglow in the atmosphere and it’s absolutely magnificent.

The combination of yellow and red glow is created by sodium and oxygen respectively and, in some cases, hydroxyl, which is a blend of oxygen and hydrogen.

When the molecules and atoms interact, a weak luminescence in the upper atmosphere appears.

Molecules are energized by the sun, but that energy is then lost within hours.

However, before the energy fades away, the airglow is created.

The interaction between separate atoms and molecules can generate different types of light depending on location, time of day and night, and a variety of other factors.

Most of these are barely visible to the naked eye, but when they are, we tend to notice because it’s always quite beautiful.

And it’s further proof we’re making outstanding progress when it comes to the Space Race now that we are, some might say, ‘finally’, exploring space again.

India recently became the fourth country to reach the Moon and NASA is now capable of sending pictures from Mars.

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