Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Aurora Slathers Up the Sky

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 16, 2026 is “Aurora Slathers Up the Sky,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: Jack Fischer , Expedition 52 , NASA. The original explanation runs about 136 words.

Aurora Slathers Up the Sky
Credit: Image Credit: Jack Fischer , Expedition 52 , NASA Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Like salsa verde on your favorite burrito, a green aurora slathers up the sky in this 2017 June 25 snapshot from the International Space Station. About 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth, the orbiting station is itself within the upper realm of the auroral displays.”

— APOD editors, May 16, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
May 16, 2026
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: Jack Fischer , Expedition 52 , NASA
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 136 words

All of May 2026 → · 2026 by month → · Full archive since 1995 →

Topics in this entry

AurorasSpace stations

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: May 16 in other years

On Amazon

Popular picks for space fans

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Electronics Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB Read astronomy and space-history books anywhere. View on Amazon → Electronics Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones Noise-cancelling headphones for documentaries and launch livestreams. View on Amazon →

Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.