The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Auroras occur when particle radiation from the Sun hits Earth’s upper atmosphere, making it glow in a greenish blue light. ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst has one of our planet’s best views of this phenomenon, circling 400 km up on the Station.
Here, the last remnants of sunlight can be seen as a blue streak on the left side. Above it is the yellow hue of our atmosphere reflecting the sunlight. This thin band is all that protects us from solar radiation.
In the foreground, the Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm is stowed, waiting to receive the next supply spacecraft to visit the microgravity laboratory.
Alexander worked as a geophysicist and volcanologist before he was chosen as an ESA astronaut in 2009. His Blue Dot mission includes an extensive programme of experiments in physical science, biology and human physiology as well as radiation research and technology demonstrations. All of the research makes use of the out-of-this-world laboratory to improve life on Earth or prepare for further human exploration of our Solar System.
Read more about his mission at http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Blue_dot
Follow Alexander here: http://alexandergerst.esa.int/