NASA has shared a captivating image of Earth's "airglow" captured from the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing the planet wrapped in vivid orange hues created by this atmospheric phenomenon. The space agency posted the photograph on Instagram, crediting French astronaut Sophie Adenot for the stunning shot. The image reveals a glowing orange band encircling Earth as seen from orbit.
NASA's Description of the Phenomenon
"In this image of Earth from the @ISS, Earth appears to be bathed in orange light," NASA wrote. "This is due to a phenomenon called airglow, where molecules in the upper atmosphere release energy after being excited by radiation from the Sun. This glow can be a variety of colors, including red, green, purple, and yellow." The agency further explained that airglow is constantly present throughout Earth's atmosphere but is usually too faint to be visible to the naked eye from the ground. "Airglow is constantly shining throughout Earth's atmosphere, but it is so dim that it can only be seen in orbit or by a sensitive camera from the ground with dark skies," it added.
What is an Airglow?
Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere release energy absorbed from the Sun's radiation. This primarily happens when molecules, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, are energized by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. As they release that energy, atoms in the lower atmosphere collide and lose energy in the process, resulting in a colorful airglow. It is important to note that airglow is distinct from auroras, which are caused by charged particles from the solar wind interacting with Earth's magnetic field.
Functions of Airglow
Airglow serves several scientific purposes, such as carrying information about the upper atmosphere's temperature, density, and composition. Simultaneously, it helps trace how particles move in that region, providing valuable data for researchers studying atmospheric dynamics.
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