(NEXSTAR) – A space hurricane has been observed for the first time in the upper atmosphere of earth, finally confirming the existence of the eye-catching phenomenon. A team of scientists from the U.S.

As he posted the awe-inspiring shots earlier in the week, Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency wrote that staring down "the gaping eye of a category 4 hurricane" is "chilling, even from space.

High above Earth's surface, GOES-18 and GOES-19 are the current pair of operational geostationary satellites monitoring the Western Hemisphere, orbiting in the GOES West and GOES East positions, ...