Spectacular Southern Lights display captured on camera by Nasa astronaut in space

Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir has shared breathtaking timelapse footage of the aurora australis, also known as the Southern Lights, filmed from aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The American space traveller posted the remarkable video to social media on Sunday, revealing the Southern Lights in all their glory following recent solar activity.

The footage captures the luminous phenomenon dancing beneath the orbiting vessel, offering viewers a rare perspective of one of nature's most spectacular displays.

Ms Meir described the experience as witnessing something "ethereal and emotionally evocative," noting that this particular aurora behaved differently from others she had previously observed during her time in space.

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While the Northern Lights enjoy widespread fame, their southern counterpart remains relatively obscure despite occurring with equal frequency.

The aurora australis regularly illuminates the skies above Antarctica, yet the continent's extreme remoteness means few people ever witness the spectacle firsthand.

Both phenomena share identical origins in the physics of our planet's magnetic field. Charged particles streaming from the Sun are funnelled towards Earth's polar regions by magnetic forces.

When these solar particles strike the upper atmosphere, they generate the shimmering curtains of colour that have captivated observers for millennia.

The recent solar event that triggered Meir's display demonstrates how space weather directly influences these dazzling light shows.

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Ms Meir expressed her wonder at the celestial display on X, writing: "As opposed to the previous aurora I've seen, this one danced and snaked its way directly below us, putting on quite a show. I am in awe of this ethereal and emotionally evocative phenomenon."

The footage sparked enthusiastic responses from viewers across social media platforms.

One commenter admitted struggling to comprehend how the aurora appeared solely beneath the spacecraft rather than surrounding it entirely.

Another viewer confessed they had only just discovered the existence of the Southern Lights, questioning whether they differed significantly from their northern equivalent.

A third simply praised the "ethereal" nature of the imagery, wishing Ms Meir safe travels.

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