“For the Northern Lights” by Aleksey R., taken in Teriberka, Kolsky District of Murmansk Oblast, Russia
You may use the terms Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis to describe this natural light display. However, these terms are somewhat confusing because aurorae also appear in the Southern Hemisphere, which is why the common term used to represent this breathtaking natural phenomenon today is Aurora Polaris.
“Polar-snow monsters” by Sergey Korolev, taken on the Kola Peninsula, Russia
Given that aurorae are only visible in the polar regions, where temperatures are rather extreme, few of us get to see an aurora in person. This is where photographers come in, traveling to the northernmost regions of Iceland, Russia, and Alaska and the southernmost reaches of Australia to capture the rare beauty of landscapes illuminated by an aurora.
“Tranquil” by Larryn Rae, taken at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Every year, photographer Dan Zafra, from the website Capture the Atlas, picks 25 of the year’s best photos of Aurora Polaris. The gallery is full of terrific photos captured in various locations around the world, representing not only the variety of landscapes where the phenomenon occurs but also the multitude of hues an aurora can consist of.
For instance, this year’s winning photo features a green-pink aurora that appeared near Lake Tekapo in New Zealand as well as a classic green aurora above the active Geldingadalir volcano in Iceland. Take a look at 12 of our top picks from this year’s competition, and go over to the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year Webpage to view the remaining winners, as well as the stories behind each photo.
“Nature & Landscape photographer” by Agnieszka Mrowka, taken in Iceland
“The Northern Lights cathedral” by Frøydis Dalheim, taken in Senja, Northern Norway
“Aurora Australis” by David Oldenhof, taken in Tasmania, Australia
“The aurora cave” by Giulio Cobianchi, taken on the Lofoten Islands, Norway
“Spectrum” by Stefan Liebermann, taken at Vestrahorn, Iceland
“Volcanic Aurora Borealis” by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, taken in Geldingadalir, Iceland
“When the stars align” by Joshua Snow, taken at Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon, Canada
“Santa’s Cabin” by Olli Sorvari, taken in Levi, Finland
“Aurora Sherbet in the Apostles” by Marybeth Kiczenski, taken in Bayfield, Wisconsin, USA
Share these stunning photos with everyone who loves nature and art!
H/T: My Modern Met
