What causes this shell of light around the Earth in this vedio?

[Spinnor]

In the following web page with imbedded video, play and stop the video at the 30 second mark (the video is about 1/3 of the way down the following link).

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2011/11/14/the-best-video-of-earth-from-space-ever-made/

Why does there appear to be a thin shell of light at an altitude of about 37 miles above Earth (look on the left and not the right side where the aurora is active, measurements taken off computer monitor). Why is it a relatively thin shell of light? What powers the light?

Thanks for any pointers!

[DaveC426913]

Why does there appear to be a shell of light at an altitude of about 37 miles above Earth (measurements taken off computer monitor). Why is it a relatively thin shell of light?

Thanks for any pointers!

Aurora Borealis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29).
About 50 miles.
Green means ionized oxygen.

[Spinnor]

Aurora Borealis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29).
About 50 miles.
Green means ionized oxygen.

I edited my post to make it clear but you responded before I could complete the edit, damn the help is fast here %^), I should have read it more before posting %^(.

There are two, maybe related, light features above the Earth (three if you count the lightning). At the 30 second mark on the left side above the Earth is a thin shell of light and on the right side the Aurora. I was curious about the dimmer light on the left side above the Earth.

[phinds]

the help is fast here

Yeah, you have to be particularly careful about Dave ... he's answered a couple of questions BEFORE they were asked !!!

(He got them wrong, but still .... )

[Spinnor]

There appears to be a temperature inversion at about the 37 mile mark, see,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comparison_US_standard_atmosphere_1962.svg

from,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Earth#Physical_properties.

Does the temperature inversion cause some type of light guide at about 37 miles?

Thanks for any help!

[Drakkith]

I believe the shell around the earth is the atmosphere being lit up.

[blumfeld0]

It is airglow.

[Spinnor]

Airglow,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airglow

[Spinnor]

Explanation by an astronaut,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWpRHshtwRI

Nice outline of subject with pictures,

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/rgk/atm101/airglow.htm