Aurora

As ribbons of northern light drift above us, another aurora photographer arranges her next shot. The technique is not difficult and the results on the small camera screen reveal colors and textures beyond what we could see ourselves directly.
Kiruna Sweden
16 Nov 2015
EOS 60Da with EFS 10-22mm(10mm)
8 seconds, f/3.5, ISO 1600

During this 8-second exposure, a train enters the view, its headlight illuminating the landscape. The train adds its own trails of light, including the arcs of its electrical contact with the overhead wire.
Kiruna Sweden
16 Nov 2015
EOS 60Da with EFS 10-22mm(10mm)
8 seconds, f/3.5, ISO 1600

Green light from ionized oxygen dominates, but is accompanied by reds from ionized nitrogen. They follow complex fields that creates sheets and apparent loops of light.
Kiruna Sweden
16 Nov 2015
EOS 60Da with EFS 10-22mm(10mm)
8 seconds, f/3.5, ISO 1600

An auroral cloud covers the constellation Orion above the landmark gap in the mountains known as the “Gates of Lapland”
Abisko, Sweden
16 Nov 2015
EOS 60Da with EFS 10-22mm(10mm)
30 seconds, f/4.5, ISO 1600

The view from the docks at the town of Abisko on Lake Trondetraske. The “Gates of Lapland” is seen in the distance as a notch in the wall of mountains.
Abisko, Sweden
16 Nov 2015
EOS 60Da with EFS 10-22mm(10mm)
30 seconds, f/3.5, ISO 1600

At 66 degrees north, Husavik Iceland is one degree away from the arctic circle. This places it directly beneath the usual position of the auroral oval, that zone of active energized atmosphere that creates the northern lights. The weather in Iceland is often overcast, but on this day the clouds cleared and the aurora were so brilliant they could be seen even over the lights of the city center and its active harbor.
Husavik Iceland
21 September 2017
Canon EOS 60Da, EFS 10-22mm @ 12mm
2 sec, f/4, ISO 800

The moon drops behind the visitor center at Franconia Sculpture Garden while the sky lights up with aurora.

An unusually strong geomagnetic storm brings aurora far south from its normal home in the arctic. Franconia Sculpture Park, near Taylors Falls MN, is far enough away from the city that many “aurora tourists” came to enjoy the dark skies and the experience of being surrounded by the colorful curtains of northern lights. Here is the moon setting behind one of the park’s sculptures (”Johnny Appleseed”).

An unusually strong geomagnetic storm brings aurora far south from its normal home in the arctic. Here at Franconia Sculpture Park near Taylors Falls MN, one of the sculptures (”Skallagram”) appears to be reaching for them. The park is far enough away from the city that many “aurora tourists” came to enjoy dark skies and being surrounded by the colorful curtains of northern lights.

An unusually strong geomagnetic storm brings aurora far south from its normal home in the arctic. Franconia Sculpture Park, near Taylors Falls MN, is far enough away from the city that many “aurora tourists” came to enjoy the dark skies and the experience of being surrounded by the colorful curtains of northern lights.