Sept. 28, 2011 -- Magnetic activity on the sun has really been running on high gear recently and while it hasn't caused any problems so far, skywatchers around the world are being treated to some exceptionally energetic aurorae -- and the same goes for the skywatchers in orbit!
This photo, taken from the International Space Station on Sept. 26, looks down on aurora ablaze with emerald and crimson light. The colors are created by energetic ions streaming from the sun interacting with the atoms and molecules in our atmosphere. Oxygen glows green, while nitrogen glows red and blue.