Looking up at the flickering glow of the Northern Lights is one of Earth's most incredible experiences. But now, a NASA astronaut has revealed what it is like to look down on one of the planet's great natural wonders. Astronaut Don Pettit has shared his bird's eye view of the Northern Lights from the window of the International Space Station.
![[On social media, commenters were shocked to learn that astronauts have this unique perspective on one of Earth's natural wonders]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93830013-14259229-On_social_media_commenter_were_shocked_to_learn_that_astronauts_-a-75_1736268277391.jpg)
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Pettit said simply: 'Flying over aurora; intensely green.'. In this mesmerising video, you can see the lower structures of the space station silhouetted against the bright green glow of the aurora. With the Northern Lights forming between 60 to 186 miles (100 to 300 km) above the ground, the ISS soars above at almost four times this altitude.
![[Don Pettit (pictured) is NASA's oldest serving astronaut and widely regarded as one of the space agency's best photographers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93829507-14259229-This_mesmerising_video_was_taken_by_NASA_astronaut_Don_Pettit_pi-a-72_1736267711713.jpg)
On social media, space fans have been blown away to discover that astronauts have this unique perspective. One amazed commenter wrote: 'Wait wait... auroras are that low?!'. A NASA astronaut has shared his stunning bird's-eye view of the Northern Lights from aboard the International Space Station.
![[Since the ISS orbits at an altitude of 230 to 285 miles (370 to 460 km), it can be almost four times higher than the lowest parts of the Northern Lights]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93828633-14259229-image-a-64_1736267405073.jpg)
On social media, commenters were shocked to learn that astronauts have this unique perspective on one of Earth's natural wonders. Don Pettit, 69, is NASA's oldest astronaut and a member of NASA's Expedition 72 crew which also includes the stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore.
![[The ISS' height allows the crew to capture stunning images of the Northern Lights as they pass overhead. Pictured: The aurora seen from the ISS in August, 2024]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93833985-14259229-image-a-79_1736269018346.jpg)
Currently undertaking his third stay aboard the station, Mr Pettit is well known for his orbital photography. Over more than 300 days in space, Mr Pettit has become regarded as one of NASA's best photographers and has captured many stunning images of the Earth and the Northern Lights.
![[Commenters on social media were amazed by the view, saying they had no idea that the Northern Lights would look like this from above]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/16/93830007-14259229-Commenters_on_social_media_were_amazed_by_the_view_saying_they_h-a-76_1736268295867.jpg)
