CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — While eclipses capture attention, astronauts aboard the International Space Station highlight the awe-inspiring northern and southern lights. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, living on the space station for six months, shared their experiences.
Despite missing totality during a recent solar eclipse due to the station’s position, they enjoyed a partial view. Looking ahead, they hope to witness next week’s lunar eclipse. Hathaway expressed anticipation, saying, “We’re hoping for the best. It should be pretty awesome.”
Meir emphasized the spectacle of auroras, noting the sun’s activity enhances their visual drama. A significant solar event brought the green aurora close, appearing beneath the station. She described it as a “snake making its way right beneath us,” with green light reflecting off the station’s exterior.
Beyond cosmic displays, Meir finds joy in culinary activities in space, donning a cat-themed apron while tasting station-grown greenery. Alongside crewmate Anil Menon, who wore a chef’s toque, they participated in a cooking episode titled “Chez ISS.” Menon arrived recently in a Russian capsule, bringing culinary gear for future shows.
Meir, embracing her creative side, performed John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever” in partnership with the Boston Pops, her part recorded in space. Her luggage included a piccolo and casual attire like a fancy scarf and glittery bell bottoms, contrasting her previous station trip’s attire for the historic all-female spacewalk.
Hathaway, while lacking culinary and musical skills, enjoys the constant activities. He said, “There’s always something to do,” mentioning karaoke nights with musical instruments. Launched in February, Meir, a marine biologist, and Hathaway, a Navy captain, will return to Earth via SpaceX once their replacements arrive.
The current crew consists of three Americans, three Russians, and one French astronaut.
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