Northern lights photographer of the year winners
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a worldwide natural wonder. They form when solar wind from the sun slams into Earth’s atmosphere, ionizing the oxygen and nitrogen molecules there. As they release that extra energy, they give off an ethereal glow.
This year’s winners for the Northern lights photographer of the year, the sixth edition from Capture the Atlas, includes 25 of the best northern lights photography from around the world.
The 2023 finalists includes selections from latitudes where the lights have never been photographed before. As Earth approaches the solar maximum, or the chaotic peak of 11-year solar cycle, the northern lights can be seen at these lower latitudes.
From the Arctic landscapes of Alaska and Norway to the Southern Hemisphere’s Australia and New Zealand, this awesome collection of photography showcases greens, purples, and magentas that shouldn’t be missed.
Winner: Storm over Sukapak, Nickolas Warner
![Green northern lights over Sukakpak Mountain in Alaska, USA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eysuGdkpYejFBJjvmybY4-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This green northern light display over Sukakpak Mountain from Nickolas Warner took first place in the contest. Located approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, the peak is part of the Brooks Mountain Range in Alaska, USA.
Second place: The Arctic dance, Vincent Beudez
![Purple, green and red northern lights over Tromso, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fgh3NjJ8ZxmCsvyUw4E4Cm-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
French photographer Vincent Beudez captured this neon burst of light in Tromsø, Norway.
Third place: Lost who I want to be, Jordan McInally
![Purple, magenta and yellow northern lights over Moke Lake, New Zealand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7ShN3hBZQLwSQ6uJX3Fnm-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This image of a yellow and magenta aurora over Moke Lake in New Zealand, from photographer Jordan McInally, took third place.
Finalist: Red alert, William Preite
![Red northern lights over Dolomites, Italy.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkcuFmj5uBTaS9nYiC2gwn-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This dazzling, red solar event, photographed by William Preite over the Dolomites in Italy, is actually known as a stable auroral red (SAR) arc, an event even rarer than the aurora. Contrary to its name, this phenomenon is neither particularly stable, nor an aurora, Live Science previously reported. SARs form when oxygen molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere are superheated by the large electric loop that circles our planet.
Finalist: Infinity, Giulio Cobianchi
![Yellow and green northern lights over the Lofoten Islands, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfNND3n7R7o2CXFSfEN86k-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
In order to shoot this “double arc” image properly, a few factors need to be in play, according to photographer Giulio Cobianchi. Clear skies and a moonless night coupled with an aurora only visible to the north, enabled this capture of the lights over the Lofoten Islands in Norway.
Finalist: Bakers oven aurora australis, Josh Beames
![Purple and green northern lights over Bakers Oven, Australia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5eesUPjuZ4oueitcX5k63-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographer Josh Beames captured this fluorescent scene of the aurora australis, or southern lights, in Bakers Oven, Australia.
Finalist: Goleuadau’r gogledd, Mathew Browne
![Purple, green and magenta northern lights over Wales, United Kingdom.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXqA2kBHDMSkDm5MAPkRNj-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
The image’s title “Goleuadau’r gogledd” translates to “northern lights” in Welsh. Photographer Mathew Browne captured the rare occurrence of the aurora borealis in the United Kingdom over Paxton’s Tower in Wales.
Finalist: The platform, Virgil Reglioni
![Purple and green northern lights over Otertinden, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwmfTUA473sTdeKmBQ5ehn-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographer Virgil Reglioni shot his finalist work during a geomagnetic storm over a peak in Ottertinden, Norway. The team climbed a 47-degree steep incline in minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 21 degrees Celsius) temperatures to obtain the surreal image.
Finalist: The red flame, Laura Oppelt
![Magenta and green northern lights over Wadden Sea National Parks, Germany.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cJs2UrSGtYSQ4RYfEXnJo-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Germany’s Wadden Sea National Parks is an unusually southerly location for the aurora borealis, but photographer Laura Oppelt was able to capture this explosion of light on Sept. 25, 2023.
Finalist: Waning sun, Alex Wides
![Purple, orange and green northern lights over Senja Island, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4x6LcwYMofAqMj8ochKJN-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This spectacular 300-degree panorama, which showcases the setting sun during an intense display of the northern lights, was captured on Senja Island in Norway by photographer Alex Wides.
Finalist: Lady in pink, Kenneth LeRose
![Purple northern lights over Death Valley, USA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2GxNn7WaKi74UQQdBBghSm-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Shot from the lowest altitude in the United States, this violet aurora was captured in Death Valley, California by photographer Kenneth LeRose. Auroras aren’t typically seen so far south either.
Finalist: Island of aurora, Kat Lawman
![Red and green northern lights over Wales, United Kingdom.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jZ9sCoUSuERaeEVBkvCYPk-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographer Kat Lawman captured this rare display of the aurora over Wales, United Kingdom.
Finalist: Aurora explosion, Jason Perry
![Purple and orange northern lights over Tasmania, Australia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAk9xFVVdmgDK8RczjEpc-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This magenta and yellow display of the southern lights was captured in April, 2023 by photographer Jason Perry in Tasmania, Australia.
Finalist: Gatklettur northern lights, Stefano Pellegrini
![Green northern lights over Gatklettur, Iceland.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAUVQ5V3ScgFeghAACjRqi-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
After chasing the northern lights for over a week, Stefano Pellegrini captured this magnificent auroral swirl in Gatklettur, Iceland.
Finalist: Beauty of the north, Elena Ermolina
![Purple and green northern lights over Kola Peninsula, Russia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5hPTxpFp8wWMcVEsgS3N3-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This purple and green aurora waltz was captured by photographer Elena Ermolina on Russia’s Kola Peninsula.
Finalist: March Michigan nights, Justin Miller
![Purple, red and yellow northern lights over Glen Arbor, Michigan.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nfCVZ9TC3daprD3rBkoAn-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Michigan native, Justin Miller, shot this northern lights display over a farm in Glen Arbor.
Finalist: Fleeting moments on ice, MaryBeth Kiczenski
![Purple and green northern lights over Alaska, USA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fk42aMDD36eCFHguASMHij-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographed in March, 2023 by MaryBeth Kiczenski, this Alaskan ice cave collapsed over the summer, making this view of the aurora from within truly one-of-a-kind.
Finalist: Green snakes, Filip Hrebenda
![Green northern lights over Vikten, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/igB6c4PVaLh8rkuSbDTB7j-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Taken on a lesser-known beach in Lofoten, Norway called “Vikten,” photographer Filip Hrebenda captured this winding aurora, which resembles “green snakes.”
Finalist: Northern lights in Nova Scotia, Kristine Rose
![Purple and orange northern lights over Nova Scotia, Canada.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dLZR9dj3pwkN3vx2nFaVTn-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Canadian photographer, Kristine Rose, captured this aurora, along with its reflection, in Nova Scotia.
Finalist: Circle of life, Frøydis Dalheim
![Green northern lights over Lappland, Finland.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eehcFecz7SSCHduuZTFeLi-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographer Frøydis Dalheim shot this winter spectacle in Lappland, Finland on a March night in 2023 that reached almost minus 22 F (minus 30 C).
Finalist: Aurora flame, Richard Zheng
![Purple and yellow northern lights over Dunedin Peninsula, New Zealand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFjfoPjueyKwpqK5RWGYq-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Richard Zheng photographed violet aurora australis over the Dunedin Peninsula in New Zealand. The photo shows the Large Magellanic Cloud in the upper right corner, the Colloidal Nebula as a red mass in the upper left, and the Carina Nebula below.
Finalist: The dance of the green lady, Luis Cajete
![Green northern lights over Haifoss, Iceland.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K3r62h2XQXvFt4eMCvektk-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This geyser of green light was photographed by Luis Cajete over Iceland’s Haifoss waterfall.
Finalist: Blåvatnet, Lukas Moesch
![Green northern lights over Tromso, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBr9g3vHx8ChZ9A58ngEb3-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Photographer Lukas Moesch “had a magical encounter with a rare white reindeer (a sign of good luck),” on his way to capture this moment of the northern lights in Tromsø, Norway.
Finalist: Echant, Paul Wilson
![Blue, magenta and green southern lights over Canterbury, New Zealand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gDoRgxajx8RVbHVur7Kfbi-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This photograph by Paul Wilson, taken from Camp Saddle in Canterbury, New Zealand, shows the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds beside the aurora australis, galaxies that are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Finalist: Kirkjufell explosion, Marc Marco Ripoll
![Green northern lights over Kirkjufell, Iceland.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-480-80.jpg 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKUvb3Zwfooi8XunNpjzdk-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
This green vortex was photographed by Marc Marco Ripoll on Iceland’s Mt. Kirkjufell, located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
See the auroras and moonrise in stunning space station time-lapse
ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti created this time-lapse during her second tour aboard the International Space Station. The aurora borealis occurs above the northern hemisphere of Earth. Credit: ESA