Lightning from Above
- NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured an image of lightning from above while orbiting the International Space Station.
- The image was taken on July 1, 2025, over Milan, Italy, at an altitude of more than 250 miles.
- Storm observations from space help scientists study Earth’s upper atmosphere and improve weather models.
- The data collected by the space station crew also helps protect communication systems and aircraft.
- The photographs taken by the space station crew provide a record of how the planet changes over time, allowing scientists to monitor disasters and natural events.
NASA/Nichole Ayers
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured this image of lightning while orbiting aboard the International Space Station more than 250 miles above Milan, Italy on July 1, 2025. Storm observations from space station help scientists study Earth’s upper atmosphere, which can improve weather models and protect communication systems and aircraft. Space station crew take photographs of Earth that record how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events. This record allows scientists to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground and study phenomena.
Image credit: NASA/Nichole Ayers
Q. Who captured the image of lightning from above?
A. NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers.
Q. Where was the image of lightning taken from?
A. Above Milan, Italy, more than 250 miles above the Earth’s surface.
Q. What is the purpose of storm observations from space station?
A. To study Earth’s upper atmosphere and improve weather models.
Q. How can studying Earth’s upper atmosphere benefit society?
A. It helps protect communication systems and aircraft.
Q. Why do space station crew take photographs of Earth?
A. To record how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events.
Q. What is the significance of this record for scientists?
A. It allows them to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground.
Q. How does studying phenomena from space help scientists?
A. It helps them study phenomena that can’t be observed from the ground.
Q. What can we learn from photographs taken by astronauts in space?
A. We can learn about changes in the Earth’s surface over time due to human activity and natural events.
Q. Why is it important to monitor disasters from space?
A. It allows scientists to provide timely and accurate information for disaster response and relief efforts.
Q. What can we expect from NASA’s storm observations from space station?
A. Improved weather models and protection of communication systems and aircraft.