Happy Halloween From The International Space Station

Halloween is becoming a popular tradition across the globe...and even into out of space. The crew on the International Space Station got in on the fun dressing up and posing for some memorable photos. 

"Having a scary day in space," European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst tweeted accompanied by a picture of himself dressed as Star Wars character Darth Vader complete with red lightsaber. Gerst’s colleague, Russian cosmonaut Sergei Prokofiev is dressed as Elvis while NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor is taking science to the extreme wearing a skull-and-crossbones badged lab coat. 

Having a scary day in space. The crew of the International @Space_Station wish you a happy #Halloween! #Exp57 @AstroSerena #SergeyProkopyev pic.twitter.com/ezU94btds9

— Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) October 31, 2018

Costume made from real science gear

Look carefully at the lab coat and you'll notice this isn’t just some prop from a costume shop but looks to be Auñón-Chancellor's coat she wore while completing her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2001. The letter’s "M.D.", her name and "Class of 2001" can be seen on the coat's pocket and the lab goggles are from the ISS's own lab. 

These three fun-loving scientists for Expedition 57 will return to earth on Dec. 13. The replacements will arrive early December, the new crew contains NASA astronaut Anne McClain, Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko. 

ISS crew continue the reputation of funny geekery

We look forward to see if any of the crew come prepared with a Santa outfit. Scientists aboard the ISS have a long reputation of sharing the fun with those back on earth. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield was a classic example. 

The experience astronaut enthralled Twitter users with his posts detailing life aboard the station. From stunning images of space to hilarious reminder of how weird life in zero gravity can be. 

It is a rare day when you get to see people play a game of Scrabble on the ceiling. Easy to lose the little pieces! pic.twitter.com/bPTRIJaz

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) December 27, 2012

Science rules at Halloween

You too can combine science with Halloween with these ideas for cool and creepy experiments and costumes that will make your party a lot geekier. Let's start with party drinks.  Did you know that tonic water glows under a blacklight?  Simply serve up some refreshing gin and tonics, turn off the lights and hit the black lamps for a spooking aparatif.

Pranks aside, the most important part about Halloween is the costumes.  While it might be a little late to go crazy now, there are lots of ways to still get in the mood with not much effort.  Why not dress as your favorite inventor? A Nikola Tesla outfit just requires a sharp suit and a mustache, or even easier, dress as Elon Musk, all you'll need is a rumpled t-shirt and a phone with Twitter installed.

Or if you are really short on time, this guy has the answer for you:

 

 

 

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The best part about this, he didn't even write the shirt. Made his friend do it..... #EpicLazy #EpicWin #costumenotfound #404 #404costumenotfound #error404costumenotfound #cosplay #costume #funny #Eternalcon #eternalcon2015 #ComicCon #Convention #cradleofaviation #LongIsland #razorsedge #RazorsEdgeCollectibles #booth #work

A post shared by James Groeling (@jamesgroeling) on Jun 15, 2015 at 3:55pm PDT

Happy Halloween from the team at Interesting Engineering. If you made a cool science or engineering based costume, send us a photo!