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The Fleeting Aurora: Why Right Now Is an Exceptional Time to Photograph the Northern Lights
The Fleeting Aurora: Why Right Now Is an Exceptional Time to Photograph the Northern Lights
by Keenan Hursh
In case you didn’t already know, we’re fortunate enough to live on a pretty special and extraordinary sphere of rock floating through the lifeless vacuum of space. Our home, planet Earth, is incredibly unique for many reasons and as far as we know there isn’t anywhere else quite like it out there in the cosmos.
There are countless things that make the earth a unique celestial body. From the presence of life, and beyond that intelligent life, to the existence of tectonic plates constantly in motion forming continents and oceans to the incredibly important and protective magnetosphere, our planet is a fine tuned and delicate machine. In today’s article, we’re going to take a look at that last thing I mentioned, the magnetosphere, and a quite unusual but stunning side effect that comes along with it.
To start, the magnetosphere is vitally important and without it the earth would be a dull and lifeless rock with no atmosphere, much like our next-door neighbor Mars. This magical magnetic field, that surrounds our planet, shields us from harmful solar and cosmic particle radiation and prevents the erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind, which is the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun. Bottom line, without the magnetosphere life on earth would cease to exist.
And not only does this invisible magnetic field protect us, but it also creates one of the most intriguing and magical phenomena anywhere in the cosmos. I’m talking of course about the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis more commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights. In today’s article we’ll be focusing on the Northern lights specifically, but the same science and concepts apply to the Southern Lights as well.
The ethereal dance of the Aurora Borealis is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that has captivated humans for millennia. The shimmering curtains of light painting the night sky are a result of intricate interactions between our planet's magnetic field and charged particles from the Sun. In this article, we will explore the scientific understanding of the aurora, dive into the cyclical pattern of solar flares, and explain why right now is an absolutely exceptional time to photograph this awe-inspiring spectacle.
There are countless things that make the earth a unique celestial body. From the presence of life, and beyond that intelligent life, to the existence of tectonic plates constantly in motion forming continents and oceans to the incredibly important and protective magnetosphere, our planet is a fine tuned and delicate machine. In today’s article, we’re going to take a look at that last thing I mentioned, the magnetosphere, and a quite unusual but stunning side effect that comes along with it.
To start, the magnetosphere is vitally important and without it the earth would be a dull and lifeless rock with no atmosphere, much like our next-door neighbor Mars. This magical magnetic field, that surrounds our planet, shields us from harmful solar and cosmic particle radiation and prevents the erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind, which is the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun. Bottom line, without the magnetosphere life on earth would cease to exist.
And not only does this invisible magnetic field protect us, but it also creates one of the most intriguing and magical phenomena anywhere in the cosmos. I’m talking of course about the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis more commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights. In today’s article we’ll be focusing on the Northern lights specifically, but the same science and concepts apply to the Southern Lights as well.
The ethereal dance of the Aurora Borealis is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that has captivated humans for millennia. The shimmering curtains of light painting the night sky are a result of intricate interactions between our planet's magnetic field and charged particles from the Sun. In this article, we will explore the scientific understanding of the aurora, dive into the cyclical pattern of solar flares, and explain why right now is an absolutely exceptional time to photograph this awe-inspiring spectacle.
What is the Aurora Borealis?
So, what exactly is the Aurora Borealis and how is this natural phenomenon even possible in the first place? The Aurora Borealis occurs when charged particles, predominantly electrons and protons, are ejected away from the sun and directed towards Earth. As these particles approach our planet, they begin to interact with the earth’s magnetosphere which enters and exits our planet at the northern and southern polar regions. The magnetosphere, in a sense, grabs onto or directs these particles from the sun towards these regions of earth, which is why the northern lights most commonly occur at far northern latitudes. Once there, they collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere, resulting in the emission of light.
Hopefully this makes sense, but it raises another question: Why aren’t the northern lights constant? Why are they stronger at some times and completely absent at others? Well, this all has to do with the activity of the sun. The Sun is pretty much a massive nuclear reactor and emits energy and particles in varying amounts over time. When the sun emits more particles and energy in the direction of earth this has a direct correlation with the aurora borealis.
Solar flares, eruptions on the Sun's surface, play a significant role in determining the intensity and frequency of the aurora. These flares release enormous amounts of energy, including highly charged particles and electromagnetic radiation. When a solar flare occurs, it releases a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic fields. If a CME is directed towards Earth and interacts with our magnetosphere, it can trigger heightened aurora activity.
This is a lot of information, but at the end of the day it can be relatively simply summarized. When there is increased activity on the surface of the sun causing energy and particles to rapidly move towards earth, those particles will interact with our magnetosphere and atmosphere leading to increased aurora activity.
So, what exactly is the Aurora Borealis and how is this natural phenomenon even possible in the first place? The Aurora Borealis occurs when charged particles, predominantly electrons and protons, are ejected away from the sun and directed towards Earth. As these particles approach our planet, they begin to interact with the earth’s magnetosphere which enters and exits our planet at the northern and southern polar regions. The magnetosphere, in a sense, grabs onto or directs these particles from the sun towards these regions of earth, which is why the northern lights most commonly occur at far northern latitudes. Once there, they collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere, resulting in the emission of light.
Hopefully this makes sense, but it raises another question: Why aren’t the northern lights constant? Why are they stronger at some times and completely absent at others? Well, this all has to do with the activity of the sun. The Sun is pretty much a massive nuclear reactor and emits energy and particles in varying amounts over time. When the sun emits more particles and energy in the direction of earth this has a direct correlation with the aurora borealis.
Solar flares, eruptions on the Sun's surface, play a significant role in determining the intensity and frequency of the aurora. These flares release enormous amounts of energy, including highly charged particles and electromagnetic radiation. When a solar flare occurs, it releases a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic fields. If a CME is directed towards Earth and interacts with our magnetosphere, it can trigger heightened aurora activity.
This is a lot of information, but at the end of the day it can be relatively simply summarized. When there is increased activity on the surface of the sun causing energy and particles to rapidly move towards earth, those particles will interact with our magnetosphere and atmosphere leading to increased aurora activity.
Repeating and Predictable Cycles of Solar Activity
So, we have developed a basic understanding of how this all works, but how can we predict when the Aurora will be stronger, and where it will occur?
Perhaps on a smaller scale, solar flares might seem relatively random, but on larger time scales we can observe repeatable patterns. As it turns out there are actually predictable periods of increased solar activity that directly result in stronger and more frequent auroras.
Currently, we find ourselves in one of these periods of increased solar activity, known as a solar maximum. The solar maximum is a phase within an 11-year solar cycle, during which the Sun's activity, including solar flares and CMEs, reaches its peak. As we approach the solar maximum, the frequency and intensity of solar flares and CMEs increase, resulting in more opportunities to witness and photograph the Aurora Borealis.
The heightened solar activity during the solar maximum also pushes the aurora further south than usual. While the Northern Lights are typically associated with high-latitude regions near the Arctic Circle, during periods of increased solar activity, they can be visible in more southern locations, providing photographers with an extraordinary opportunity to capture this celestial spectacle in new and unexpected settings. Earlier this year photographers were able to capture images of the norther lights as far south as Death Valley in California.
Many scientific entities such as NASA and NOAA track the activity of the sun and have publicly available models that predict aurora activity. If you’re planning on photographing the northern lights, you should absolutely use these tools to increase your chances of success.
Once again this is a lot of information, but to summarize I’ll say this: Solar activity operates in very constant and repeatable cycles, about every 11 years on average. At a certain point within this cycle, the sun emits much more energy and particles than normal, which directly results in more of those particles hitting the earth’s atmosphere and therefore much more intense, frequent, and widespread aurora activity here on earth. What’s incredibly exciting is that we are right smack in the middle of one of these periods right now, which makes the next year or two a great time to photograph the northern lights!
So, we have developed a basic understanding of how this all works, but how can we predict when the Aurora will be stronger, and where it will occur?
Perhaps on a smaller scale, solar flares might seem relatively random, but on larger time scales we can observe repeatable patterns. As it turns out there are actually predictable periods of increased solar activity that directly result in stronger and more frequent auroras.
Currently, we find ourselves in one of these periods of increased solar activity, known as a solar maximum. The solar maximum is a phase within an 11-year solar cycle, during which the Sun's activity, including solar flares and CMEs, reaches its peak. As we approach the solar maximum, the frequency and intensity of solar flares and CMEs increase, resulting in more opportunities to witness and photograph the Aurora Borealis.
The heightened solar activity during the solar maximum also pushes the aurora further south than usual. While the Northern Lights are typically associated with high-latitude regions near the Arctic Circle, during periods of increased solar activity, they can be visible in more southern locations, providing photographers with an extraordinary opportunity to capture this celestial spectacle in new and unexpected settings. Earlier this year photographers were able to capture images of the norther lights as far south as Death Valley in California.
Many scientific entities such as NASA and NOAA track the activity of the sun and have publicly available models that predict aurora activity. If you’re planning on photographing the northern lights, you should absolutely use these tools to increase your chances of success.
Once again this is a lot of information, but to summarize I’ll say this: Solar activity operates in very constant and repeatable cycles, about every 11 years on average. At a certain point within this cycle, the sun emits much more energy and particles than normal, which directly results in more of those particles hitting the earth’s atmosphere and therefore much more intense, frequent, and widespread aurora activity here on earth. What’s incredibly exciting is that we are right smack in the middle of one of these periods right now, which makes the next year or two a great time to photograph the northern lights!
The Magic of Photographing the Aurora
Photographing the Aurora Borealis is an absolutely enchanting and magical experience. The interplay of colors, shapes, and motion against a darkened sky creates an endless number of mesmerizing compositions. By utilizing long-exposure techniques, you can reveal intricate details, portray the dynamic nature of the aurora, and reveal this phenomenon in bright stunning details far beyond what we can see with the naked eye. Photographing the northern lights is an unforgettable and life-changing event that I hope every photographer gets to experience at one point or another.
At Backcountry Journeys we offer many workshops where there is a possibility to see the Northern Lights and several that focus entirely on capturing this stunning display. Our Ultimate Northern Lights and Alaska Northern Lights trips will take you deep into the heart of Alaska, near Fairbanks, to some of the absolute best places for viewing the aurora borealis.
We also have departures to Iceland and the Lofoten Islands.
Right now, we still have available spots on upcoming departures. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d recommend booking a trip soon to take full advantage of this current period of heightened activity and witness the aurora in all its glory!
Photographing the Aurora Borealis is an absolutely enchanting and magical experience. The interplay of colors, shapes, and motion against a darkened sky creates an endless number of mesmerizing compositions. By utilizing long-exposure techniques, you can reveal intricate details, portray the dynamic nature of the aurora, and reveal this phenomenon in bright stunning details far beyond what we can see with the naked eye. Photographing the northern lights is an unforgettable and life-changing event that I hope every photographer gets to experience at one point or another.
At Backcountry Journeys we offer many workshops where there is a possibility to see the Northern Lights and several that focus entirely on capturing this stunning display. Our Ultimate Northern Lights and Alaska Northern Lights trips will take you deep into the heart of Alaska, near Fairbanks, to some of the absolute best places for viewing the aurora borealis.
We also have departures to Iceland and the Lofoten Islands.
Right now, we still have available spots on upcoming departures. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d recommend booking a trip soon to take full advantage of this current period of heightened activity and witness the aurora in all its glory!
Conclusion
In conclusion, we are currently in a very special period of increased solar activity that offers a remarkable opportunity to photograph the Aurora Borealis. With its breathtaking display of colors, shapes, and movements, the Northern Lights provide photographers with a chance to capture truly magical and otherworldly images. So, get ready to grab your camera, venture into the night, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty of the Aurora Borealis—an experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a stunning portfolio of photographs.
You won’t want to miss the current opportunity at hand that only comes around once every 12 years. As they say, there’s no time like the present. Happy shooting and may your next photography journey under the Northern Lights be filled with wonder and awe!
In conclusion, we are currently in a very special period of increased solar activity that offers a remarkable opportunity to photograph the Aurora Borealis. With its breathtaking display of colors, shapes, and movements, the Northern Lights provide photographers with a chance to capture truly magical and otherworldly images. So, get ready to grab your camera, venture into the night, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty of the Aurora Borealis—an experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a stunning portfolio of photographs.
You won’t want to miss the current opportunity at hand that only comes around once every 12 years. As they say, there’s no time like the present. Happy shooting and may your next photography journey under the Northern Lights be filled with wonder and awe!
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
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Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.