Amazing Red Aurora Captured In Space Photo By Astronaut Scott Kelly

It is one of the best holiday snaps you will ever see.

This otherworldly photo was taken by US astronaut Scott Kelly, who is currently ensconced on the International Space Station.

If the image makes you concerned that the Earth is on fire, do not be alarmed: Kelly has captured an amazing red aurora borealis while floating in space.

He was somewhere over Russia when he took the photograph, which he then posted on Twitter, with the message: “I’ve never seen this before- red #aurora. Spectacular!”

So far, the image has been retweeted more than 5,400 times.

Kelly, who is on the space station as part of a year-long stay, tweeted a follow-up image containing more brilliant red light, with the message: “Day 87. The red curtain of an #aurora closes on another day. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

The colour of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, depends on the type of atom struck when electrons from solar winds meld with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere. While usually yellow or green, they can produce a red light.

Kelly’s identical twin brother, Mark, is an ex-astronaut, making them the only twins to have ventured into space.

Kelly’s mission on the space station is to study the impact of weightlessness – or lack of gravity – on the human body.

One thing is certain: it hasn’t hampered his eye for a good picture.

(Pictures: @StationCDRKelly / Twitter)