NASA Astronaut Shares Stunning Aurora Video, Sparks ‘Fake vs. Real’ Debate

Astronaut Shares Stunning Aurora Video: A mesmerizing video of an aurora shared by NASA astronaut Don Petit aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has quickly gone viral, captivating viewers with its vibrant green hues.

A NASA astronaut in space shared a video on social media platform X of an aurora in a new light.

While the view managed to evoke a sense of amazement in most, a few expressed their doubts and called the video “fake”, with some suggesting that it was created using artificial intelligence (AI).

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The video, recorded during Pettit’s time aboard the ISS, showcases the intense green glow of auroras caused by charged solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Pettit captioned the post, “Flying over aurora; intensely green,” emphasizing the awe-inspiring beauty of the celestial display.

Auroras are typically visible in high-latitude regions near the Arctic and Antarctic, but Pettit’s footage provides a unique perspective from 400 kilometers above Earth.

The ISS’s orbit allows astronauts to document Earth's natural wonders, and Pettit’s latest contribution highlights the intersection of solar activity and Earth's environment.

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A wave of mixed comments:

While most people were stunned to see the emerald green colour of the aurora, a few speculated that the ISS could not fly so close to the Earth and claimed that the video was fake.

Praising the view, an individual wrote, “That is my favourite shade of green. It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe up there.” Another added, “This one looks like an emerald.”

A third, however, claimed, “Looks like AI. The Aurora Borealis ebbs and flows and moves around. It's not a static image standing still that just flickers.” Another said, “Intensely fake!” adding, “If you guys want to believe you can see street lights from 250 miles away, that's up to you!”

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