Stunning Space Photography: Starlink Train Meets the Northern Lights
A new video from the International Space Station (ISS) offers a rare view of a long chain of SpaceX Starlink satellites streaking across the night sky, its backdrop a vivid green aurora glow. The footage, captured by NASA astronaut and celebrated amateur photographer Don Pettit, blends human achievement in space with the natural wonders of Earth’s atmosphere to produce a scene that is as beautiful as it is scientifically provocative.
What Pettit Captured and Why It Stands Out
During his 220-day mission aboard the ISS, Pettit recorded a “train” of Starlink satellites as they moved in formation high above Earth. In Pettit’s own words, shared on X, the satellites were “very visible,” with some flashing on a timescale of one to ten seconds—bright enough to be compared to the luminous planets in our night sky. The video also shows a green aurora just below the trains, a dynamic reminder of the Sun’s energetic particles colliding with Earth’s atmosphere.
The blazing satellite train can shine exceptionally bright shortly after launch, when the Starlink constellation places a multitude of reflective devices in low Earth orbit. Astronomers watching the sky, however, note that such reflective trails can interfere with observations and data collection. Pettit’s firsthand footage provides a rare cross‑section of the issue: a human observer, in a space station, watching a modern satellite network drift against a natural light show.
SpaceX Starlink: Progress, Perspective, and Public Debate
Starlink has grown into a robust network—nearly 8,600 satellites are currently operational, with a broader vision to reach tens of thousands more. The practical benefit is clear: higher‑quality internet access for remote and underserved regions. From a technological standpoint, the project demonstrates how a private company can deploy, monitor, and manage a sprawling orbital infrastructure, with astronauts frequently acting as observers when they document this ground‑breaking work from space.
Yet the expansion has drawn scrutiny from scientists who rely on clear, dark skies for astronomical research. The trains of reflective satellites can complicate telescope observations and long‑term sky surveys. In response, SpaceX has pursued measures to adjust satellite reflectivity and to enable maneuverability in case of future concerns. The company also contends that ongoing operations will align with space safety standards, including collision avoidance protocols and end‑of‑life disposal plans.
Auroras, Orbits, and the Bigger Picture
The aurora visible in Pettit’s video is produced when solar particles slam into Earth’s atmosphere near the poles, exciting atmospheric gases that emit light. The juxtaposition of a bright Starlink train and a shimmering aurora underscores the intersection of human engineering and planetary science. While the satellites promise improved connectivity, they also remind observers that Earth’s atmospheric phenomena remain an area of ongoing study and wonder.
What’s Next for Starlink and Space Exploration
As SpaceX continues to launch more Starlink satellites and Earth‑orbit traffic increases, the public conversation will likely hinge on balancing technological benefits with astronomical and environmental considerations. Pettit’s latest footage adds a compelling data point to this discussion, illustrating how future space infrastructure will coexist with natural celestial displays. The mission also demonstrates the enduring role of astronauts as citizen scientists and visual storytellers who document humanity’s evolving relationship with space.
Bottom Line
The ISS video of a bright Starlink train gliding over a green aurora captures a moment where cutting‑edge technology meets natural beauty. It highlights both the promise of global internet access from space and the need for thoughtful stewardship of our night skies as the Starlink program scales up toward its ambitious goals.
