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
The northern lights over Sukakpak Mountain in Alaska, USA. (Image credit: Nickolas Warner)
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
Northern lights over Tromso, Norway. (Image credit: Vincent Beudez)
French photographer Vincent Beudez captured this neon burst of light in Tromsø, Norway.
Third place: Lost who I want to be, Jordan McInally
Northern lights over Moke Lake, New Zealand. (Image credit: Jordan McInally)
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
Northern lights over Dolomites, Italy. (Image credit: William Preite)
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
Northern lights over the Lofoten Islands, Norway. (Image credit: Giulio Cobianchi)
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
Northern lights over Bakers Oven, Australia. (Image credit: Josh Beames)
Photographer Josh Beames captured this fluorescent scene of the aurora australis, or southern lights, in Bakers Oven, Australia.
Finalist: Goleuadau’r gogledd, Mathew Browne
Northern lights over Wales, United Kingdom. (Image credit: Mathew Browne)
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
Northern lights over Otertinden, Norway. (Image credit: Virgil Reglioni)
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
Northern lights over Wadden Sea National Parks, Germany. (Image credit: Laura Oppelt)
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
Northern lights over Senja Island, Norway. (Image credit: Alex Wides)
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
Northern lights over Death Valley, USA. (Image credit: Kenneth LeRose)
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
Northern lights over Wales, United Kingdom. (Image credit: Kat Lawman)
Photographer Kat Lawman captured this rare display of the aurora over Wales, United Kingdom.
Finalist: Aurora explosion, Jason Perry
Northern lights over Tasmania, Australia. (Image credit: Jason Perry)
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
Northern lights over Gatklettur, Iceland. (Image credit: Stefano Pellegrini)
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
Northern lights over Kola Peninsula, Russia. (Image credit: Elena Ermolina)
This purple and green aurora waltz was captured by photographer Elena Ermolina on Russia’s Kola Peninsula.
Finalist: March Michigan nights, Justin Miller
Northern lights over Glen Arbor, Michigan. (Image credit: Justin Miller)
Michigan native, Justin Miller, shot this northern lights display over a farm in Glen Arbor.
Finalist: Fleeting moments on ice, MaryBeth Kiczenski
Northern lights over Alaska, USA. (Image credit: MaryBeth Kiczenski)
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
Northern lights over Vikten, Norway. (Image credit: Filip Hrebenda)
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
Northern lights over Nova Scotia, Canada. (Image credit: Kristine Rose)
Canadian photographer, Kristine Rose, captured this aurora, along with its reflection, in Nova Scotia.
Finalist: Circle of life, Frøydis Dalheim
Northern lights over Lappland, Finland. (Image credit: Frøydis Dalheim)
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
Northern lights over Dunedin Peninsula, New Zealand. (Image credit: Richard Zheng)
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
Northern lights over Haifoss, Iceland. (Image credit: Luis Cajete)
This geyser of green light was photographed by Luis Cajete over Iceland’s Haifoss waterfall.
Finalist: Blåvatnet, Lukas Moesch
Northern lights over Tromso, Norway. (Image credit: Lukas Moesch)
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
Southern lights over Canterbury, New Zealand. (Image credit: Paul Wilson)
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
Northern lights over Kirkjufell, Iceland. (Image credit: Marc Marco Ripoll)
This green vortex was photographed by Marc Marco Ripoll on Iceland’s Mt. Kirkjufell, located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
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Annie is a digital content producer and writer with a background in English and Anthropology from Fordham University.
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