Vortex between the ocean as seen from space

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) record a unique phenomenon when flying over the South Pacific.

The light blue vortex impresses when viewed from above. (Photo: Doug Hurley).

US astronaut Doug Hurley on June 16 shared photos of the Earth on Twitter. "This light blue vortex caught my attention as we flew over the South Pacific," Hurley wrote.

The ocean is a large, constantly moving body of water, according to the National Oceanic Agency (NOS). Stable and continuous currents are called ocean currents . Sometimes they can be interrupted and create circular currents called whirlpools. This whirlpool causes nutrients that are inherently in the cooler and deeper waters to rise near the ocean surface. This is most likely the phenomenon that appeared in Hurley's photo.

ISS station operates at an altitude of about 400km, flying 16 around the Earth every day. Hurley and astronaut Bob Behnken flew to the station thanks to the Crew Dragon and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket more than two weeks ago. The flight, called Demo-2, marks the first time NASA has launched a ship carrying people from the United States in nine years.

Demo-2 is the last big step for the Crew Dragon to be certified under NASA's Commercial Crew program and begin transport missions to the ISS station.

"The regular certification and operation of the Crew Dragon will allow NASA to continue to invest in important technologies and research on the ISS, benefiting people on Earth and laying the groundwork for The mission to explore the Moon and Mars in the future, starting with the Artemis program, " said NASA. Artemis is a program built with the purpose of bringing people back to the Moon and bringing the first woman to set foot on this place in 2024.