View of the southern aurora, luminous bands or streamers of light
Quiet Stargazing

View of the southern aurora, luminous bands or streamers of light

Explore the profound quiet of the universe through NASA's high-resolution archives. Perfect for your stargazing journey.

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Celestial Log

NASA Observation

SL3-130-3131 (July-September 1973) --- An excellent view of the southern aurora, luminous bands or streamers of light, in the Southern Hemisphere, as photographed from the Skylab Space Station in Earth orbit. The space station was moving into the sunlight when this picture was taken. This view is near the edge of the aurora cap. The surface of Earth is in the foreground. The permanent aurora over the South Pole is in the background. Scientist-astronaut Owen K. Garriott, Skylab 3 science pilot, took this photograph with a hand-held 35mm Nikon camera, with a four-second exposure at f/1.2, using high-speed Ektachrome film. Because auroras are caused by solar activity, they occur at the same time in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Photo credit: NASA
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Stargazer FAQ

Are the colors in this nebula image real?

NASA often uses 'false color' techniques. Scientists map invisible wavelengths (like infrared) or specific gases to visible colors (red, green, blue) to highlight the nebula's structural details.

Can I see this nebula with a standard telescope?

While some bright nebulas are visible with entry-level telescopes, capturing these stunning details usually requires deep-sky astrophotography equipment and long exposures.

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