Aurora Australis from space. Timelapse video of the Earth from space, taken by the crew of Expedition 40 on board the International Space Station (ISS). This clip starts over central Africa, west of Gabon, passing over Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, with extensive city lights appearing as the view passes over South Africa. Large cities inland here include Pretoria and Johannesburg, with Durban and Port Elizabeth on the coast. The view then passes out over the southern Indian Ocean. The ISS orbit here curves round to the north-east as it reaches its southernmost point, allowing views of the aurora australis (southern lights). These are seen as a green glow to the right (south), forming a ring around the southern polar regions. At the end of the clip, the city lights of south-eastern Australia are seen, with a bright flash of light marking the moment the ISS moves out of the shadow of the Earth and back into the sunlight. At left is the ISS's Canadarm2 robotic arm. This clip was taken during the night-time period of the ISS orbit that occurred between 19:15 and 20:03 GMT on 29 June 2014. |