Jessica Meir
@Astro_Jessica • 265,871 subscribers
NASA Astronaut. Scientist. Mother. Explorer. Nature lover. Currently living on-board the @Space_Station supporting Expeditions 74 and 75.
Shorts
Videos
A timelapse view from our SpaceX Dragon of the spectacular southern aurora seen in yesterday’s post, a result of a recent solar event. As opposed to the previous aurora I’ve seen, this one danced and snaked its way directly below us, putting on quite a show. I am in awe of this ethereal and emotionally evocative phenomenon.
Jessica Meir204,227 views • 1 day ago
In this timelapse of the night sky, you can see lightning storms (beginning and end), and one of my favorite night scenes – as we cross over Africa from west to east, it is very dimly lit until the snaking spectacle of light along the Nile appears (worth the wait), erupting into the brilliance of Cairo and the river delta. It’s a perfect illustration of the vitality of our planet’s water sources and how our human cultures have developed along them.
Jessica Meir105,700 views • 10 days ago
Another glimpse inside the International Space Station Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG). It was time to provide the neocartilage mentioned in last week’s post with some fresh nutrients, so yesterday I conducted a media exchange. This nifty chamber designed for space has septa on each side, so I can attach 2 syringes – one to withdraw the old media, while simultaneously injecting fresh media. The glovebox helps us prevent contamination in the chamber and also protects us and the space station atmosphere from any potentially harmful chemicals.
Jessica Meir117,351 views • 12 days ago
Nice catch, Reid Wiseman! From our shared legacy of almost 26 years of a continuous human presence conducting science and technology demonstrations on the International Space Station to the successful return to the Moon with the Artemis II mission, all of us at NASA are so excited to have entered the NASAArtemis era. We explore together as one humankind.
Jessica Meir341,162 views • 1 month ago
On my first mission I completely fell in love with space photography - tough not to when you’re graced with this kind of unique perspective of viewing all that Earth has to behold from above. I’ve been so happy to bust out the array of impressive lenses that we have up here once again, and this time with even better cameras (Nikon Z9, vs the D5 from my previous mission). I was lucky enough to capture some pretty good aurora (northern lights, here over Alaska and Canada) on my first timelapse attempt of the mission, stay tuned for more! Hoping for some impressive solar events to put on a fascinating show like the ones a few months ago.
Jessica Meir449,924 views • 3 months ago
Sneak peek at what it looks like to set up a new experiment on the International Space Station! I installed hardware in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox (MSG) for the Colloidal Solids experiment. This study will investigate the structure and dynamics of crystal, gel and glass phases during solidification of colloids (mixtures in which tiny particles of one substance are scattered throughout another, but that don’t dissolve or settle out, for example, milk, mayonnaise, and fog). Since gravitational forces often perturb these materials, we may observe differences in microgravity. This research could lead to the development of new materials for space exploration (substrates for plant growth, 3D printing, etc.), and may provide insight into protein crystallization, a critical process in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, to directly benefit human health back on Earth.
Jessica Meir186,270 views • 1 month ago
Looks like Mother Earth is putting her best face forward for Earth Day with some spectacular Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights! I couldn’t look away from the International Space Station cupola window as I witnessed this magnificent Earthly phenomenon dance its magical ballet. Covering a majority of the area I could see, our precious blue gem had turned completely green! Mother Earth is undeniably gorgeous, but she is also utterly fragile. Let’s remember to treat her as well as she has treated us. I never saw anything near this scale during my previous mission here on the ISS. That’s because we are currently near a strong peak of the solar cycle, while my first mission coincided with solar minimum.
Jessica Meir163,910 views • 1 month ago
Inspired by our scheduled International Space Station link up with the Crown Princess of Sweden, I set my camera lens on my mother’s home country (I have dual citizenship with Sweden!). With the inclination of the ISS orbit, we never pass directly over Scandinavia, but I was lucky enough to catch some aurora dancing in that neighborhood, just a few days before our call. Heja Sverige! The timelapse shows city night lights but settings optimized for aurora, air glow, stars. :06 Norway appears at right edge of screen :10 Sweden appears at right edge of screen :19 Sweden in center of screen :28 Moscow appears on right of screen :37 Moscow in center of screen In the first image, you can see part of each of the Scandinavian countries – Sweden is in the center of the image (looks like some clouds over Southern Sweden, so lights look a bit blurry there), the air glow of the atmosphere at night, and the aurora (and the edge of an ISS solar array). In the second image, you can see parts of Norway and Sweden (again a bit blurry in Southern Sweden due to clouds). The large bright spot in lower right area of image is Stockholm. Both photos were taken on March 11, and the timelapse taken on March 13.
Jessica Meir134,012 views • 2 months ago
It had been 6.5 years since I boarded a rocket to head to the International Space Station. I wondered if the pure joy and awe that I experienced then upon first arriving in space could be equaled the second time. I’m feeling so wonderfully fortunate to report that it certainly can be! And watching those feelings reflected on my crewmates’ faces made it even better. Welcome to space and ISS, Crew-12! Go Expedition 74!
Jessica Meir24,959 views • 3 months ago
Before the holiday break, I practiced my Moon 🌖 landing skills for a neuroscience experiment at NASA's Johnson Space Center. I’ll do these sessions before my launch, while on International Space Station, and after returning to Earth 🌍 to better understand the effects of gravitational transitions on an astronauts ability to land on the Moon. More science details below. —————————————————The Manual Piloting study aims to assess the performance of astronauts during simulated lunar landings and to clarify how gravitational transitions may affect piloting capabilities and decision-making. Before, during, and right after their missions, astronauts will complete laptop simulations designed to test their ability to land a virtual spacecraft on the Moon. Cognitive, balance, and others tests conducted during those same times will also help scientists understand how changes in gravity may affect the piloting performance of crew members. Results from this work will allow NASA to create strategies geared toward helping pilots on future exploration missions. This work may also support safety on Earth by improving our understanding of how dizziness and sensory impairments could affect the ability to drive vehicles.
Jessica Meir25,614 views • 5 months ago
Last week at NASA's Johnson Space Center I participated in part 1 of a 2 part glovebox test assessing different spacesuit pressures and how they might affect our dexterity and ability to accomplish tasks on the Moon for future NASA Artemis missions. This was a blind test, so I didn’t know if this was the pressure that I’m used to from my experience in the spacesuit (4.3 psi) or a higher pressure …. felt pretty similar to me but we’ll see how it compares to tomorrow’s test!
Jessica Meir55,696 views • 2 years ago
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