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As photographers, there's nothing quite like the thrill of capturing an elusive and breathtaking subject; in fact, it is often the entire point. Today’s subject: Aurora Borealis. The celestial disco of vibrant greens, purples, and reds across a dark night sky is a spectacle that every shutterbug dreams of immortalizing through their lens and into their memory. Here at our media and photography outlet, we've had the privilege of experiencing this natural light show in various stunning locations, and while we dream of traveling to Alaska to bare witness, we have actually captured this phenomenon in our very own Old North State, including from our backyard oasis just outside Winston-Salem, NC.
For those of us who endeavor to capture the perfect moment, recent solar activity has been a gift from the heavens. The sun's magnetic activity, which reached a 23-year high this August, has allowed the Northern Lights to grace even the southerly latitudes more frequently. This increase in solar activity, marked by a rise in sunspots, has been a boon and bonanza for photographers everywhere, transforming the night sky into a canvas of swirling colors just ripe for the shooting.
One of our most memorable experiences was during a recent Juxtaposed Tides Aperture Abenteuer, where we embarked on a mission to capture the peak morning of the Perseids meteor shower. We found ourselves at Black Balsam Knob off the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled comfortably in our trusty 4Runner. Deciding the previous evening to awake at 1 am, when we sleepily clambered from the truck, we were astounded to be seeing the Aurora Borealis in full swing, painting the sky with its ethereal glow. After a short hike in the pitch black to the top of Black Balsam Knob, the combination of constant shooting stars and the aurora created a visual symphony that was nothing short of magical. An experience, regardless of jpegs produced, that will remain fixed in our memories forever.
This unexpected encounter with the Northern Lights was not only a feast for the eyes but also a photographer's paradise. We spent the rest of the night attempting to capture the countless "shooters" blazing through the solar flares of the aurora, each minute more mesmerizing than the last. And meteors did we witness, even well into sunrise. It's moments like these that remind us of the beauty and unpredictability of nature, and the unique opportunities it presents for us to capture its wonders, by eye and lens.
Back home in Winston Salem, our backyard oasis has also served as a personal stage for photographing these seemingly rare celestial events. Despite the looming threat of eminent domain by a pipeline corporation, the memories and images we've captured here hold a special place in our hearts. From family gatherings under the starry sky to solo photo sessions, each click of the camera shutter has been a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Northern Lights and their recent great reaches.
Aurora Borealis: The Facts
To truly appreciate the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, it helps to understand the fascinating science that fuels this natural phenomenon. At its core, the aurora is a result of interactions between charged particles from the sun and Earth's magnetic field. These charged particles, often released during solar flares or coronal mass ejections, travel through space and collide with gases in our atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen. When these particles interact with these gases, energy is released in the form of light, creating the stunning displays we associate with the Northern Lights.
The sun goes through an 11-year solar cycle, during which its activity waxes and wanes, affecting the frequency and intensity of auroras. Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in solar activity, with the average number of sunspots reaching levels not seen in over two decades. This increase in sunspot activity is a sign that the sun is nearing its solar maximum, the peak of this cycle. During solar maximum, the chances of witnessing spectacular auroras—even at lower latitudes—are significantly heightened, making it an exciting time for photographers and sky-watchers alike.
The colors of the aurora also tell a fascinating story. The most common hue, a vibrant green, occurs when charged particles collide with oxygen at lower altitudes, around 60 miles above the Earth. In contrast, reds and purples emerge from interactions at higher altitudes, around 200 miles up. These variations in color arise from the different types of gases present and the altitudes at which these collisions occur, adding to the complexity and beauty of the auroral displays.
It's also important to note that while the auroras are predominantly associated with the polar regions, intense geomagnetic storms can push the auroras further south, allowing those in regions typically outside the auroral oval to experience this breathtaking spectacle. This expansion of visibility, especially during times of heightened solar activity, has made it possible for more people to witness the Northern Lights, even in places like North Carolina.
As we continue to chase these enchanting displays, we invite you to join us on this photographic journey. Through our lens and yours, we hope to share the magic and wonder of the auroras, inspiring fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts alike to seek out their own perfect moments beneath the stellar sky. And don’t forget to fight for dark skies!
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