Brief
Astronaut Anil Menon snaps auroras on iPhone from ISS
Menon's iPhone image shows pink, purple and red auroras during heightened geomagnetic activity.
By Felo News Desk · Published
NASA astronaut Anil Menon photographed striking auroras over the night side of Earth from the International Space Station on Oct. 10, using an iPhone camera, Space.com reported.
What happened
During a period of heightened geomagnetic activity, Menon captured a long‑exposure image that shows pink, purple and red curtains of light dancing above a faint pattern of city lights. The exposure was taken as the ISS moved, causing a subtle blur of the auroral display. Bright stars appear between the station’s solar panels and hull, tinged purple by the same phenomenon.
What the report adds
Space.com notes that the auroras were triggered by several coronal mass ejections that struck Earth’s magnetic field, producing geomagnetic storms ranging from minor (G1) to strong (G3) over the weekend. The blue‑purple hues stem from nitrogen at 60‑120 miles altitude, while the red hue originates from oxygen above 125 miles. The outlet also points out that capturing such images with a smartphone is unusual; astronauts typically use dedicated Nikon cameras, though iPhones have been used on the Artemis 2 mission.
What was said
Menon wrote on X, "Flying through is rare and amazing. You can see the lights on the outside of [the] station reflecting back like Christmas LEDs. It's definitely more immersive," as quoted by Space.com.
How it came about
Menon's earlier Felo News interview on Oct. 12 detailed his daily exercise regimen aboard the ISS, underscoring the routine life of astronauts who now also experiment with consumer‑grade imaging equipment.
Key facts
- Astronaut Anil Menon captured auroras with an iPhone on Oct. 10 from the ISS. (space.com)
- The auroras were caused by geomagnetic storms from multiple coronal mass ejections. (space.com)
- Blue‑purple colors come from nitrogen at 60‑120 miles; red comes from oxygen above 125 miles. (space.com)
Sources
- [1] space.com — originally reported as “Astronaut captures mesmerizing auroras with iPhone from ISS | Space photo of the day for Oct. 13, 2026”
