NASA Astronauts Share View from International Space Station

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have shared their experiences of observing celestial phenomena from orbit. Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway expressed excitement about the northern and southern lights. They noted that while they missed the totality of the recent solar eclipse, they witnessed a partial eclipse and plan to catch an upcoming lunar eclipse. Hathaway described their anticipation as optimistic, saying, “We’re hoping for the best. It should be pretty awesome.”

Meir emphasized the brilliance of auroras, especially as solar activity heightens their intensity. After a significant solar event, the aurora appeared directly beneath the space station. Meir described the view as resembling a “snake” moving under them, with green light reflecting off the station’s exterior.

Meir, who leads the space station crew, also enjoys culinary experiments in space. Adorned in a cat-themed apron, she has tried station-grown mustard greens and kale. Alongside crewmate Anil Menon, she participated in “Chez ISS,” a cooking program. Menon brought along an apron and chef’s hat for future shows.

Additionally, Meir, an accomplished musician, performed “The Stars and Stripes Forever” with the Boston Pops, recording her part aboard the station. She brought a piccolo and dressed casually compared to her previous mission, where she wore formal attire for an all-female spacewalk.

While Hathaway lacks culinary and musical expertise, he stays occupied with activities like karaoke on weekends. Both Meir, a marine biologist, and Hathaway, a Navy captain, arrived in February and will return to Earth next month via SpaceX, following the arrival of their replacements.

The current crew of seven includes astronauts from the United States, Russia, and France.

The Associated Press’s Health and Science Department receives backing from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, yet maintains editorial independence.