Observing the Rare Annular Solar Eclipse from the International Space Station

The Moon passes in front of the sun during the annular solar eclipse in this photograph taken by Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

From the vantage point of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli documented an important astronomical event: the annular solar eclipse. This photograph, taken on October 14, shows the Moon passing in front of the Sun.

Annular solar eclipses are a distinct category of solar eclipses. In such an event, due to the relative distances between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, the Moon does not completely obscure the Sun. Instead, it leaves a luminous ring, often referred to as the “annulus” – derived from the Latin word for ‘ring’. This phenomenon provides scientists with a unique observational opportunity to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere or corona.

The Moon passes in front of the sun casting its shadow, or umbra, and darkening a portion of the Earth’s surface during the annular solar eclipse. The International Space Station was soaring 260 miles above the U.S.-Canadian border as this picture was taken pointing southward toward Texas. Credit: NASA

NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli arrived at the International Space Station on August 27, aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endurance. She was part of the Crew-7 mission which also included ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov.

Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli prepares for spacewalk training at Johnson Space Center’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory with assistance from astronaut Tracy C. Dyson. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Photographing celestial phenomena from the ISS involves a unique set of challenges. The ISS orbits the Earth at a significant speed, and this, combined with the dynamics of the celestial event itself, necessitates precise calculation and timing for accurate documentation.