New Delhi, May 22: The Earth’s atmosphere is home to a stunning and mysterious glow known as ‘Airglow.’ Recently, a captivating image taken from the International Space Station (ISS) showcased the Earth bathed in orange light, a beautiful display attributed to Airglow.
Airglow is not merely a beautiful sight; it holds significant value for scientists. It provides insights into the upper atmosphere’s temperature, density, structure, and wind patterns. This phenomenon illustrates how high-altitude winds circulate in the ionosphere and disperse various gases across the planet. On April 13, 2026, NASA astronaut Chris Williams captured a breathtaking image from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, revealing the Milky Way galaxy alongside Airglow. NASA shared this stunning image on its official Instagram, highlighting the beauty of Airglow.
So, what exactly is Airglow? When sunlight interacts with molecules and atoms in the upper atmosphere, it excites them, infusing them with extra energy. As these particles return to their normal, calm state, they release this energy in the form of light, which we refer to as Airglow.
This glow can manifest in red, green, purple, and yellow hues. It occurs continuously, day and night, but is often too faint to be seen with the naked eye. To observe it, one typically needs to view it from space or use sensitive cameras in very dark locations on Earth.
Airglow is frequently compared to auroras, but there is a significant difference between the two. Auroras occur when high-energy solar wind particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating excitement in the atmosphere. In contrast, Airglow is generated from regular sunlight, resulting from everyday solar radiation. Occasionally, ions from sunlight may collide with free electrons, also producing light. In both cases, photons, or light particles, are emitted, creating a stunning visual spectacle.
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