Last year was a busy year for both the northern and southern lights, due to a flurry of electromagnetic energy from the sun.
According to reports I read, the northern lights were visible as far south as my former home state of Indiana. So that marked one of two celestial events that I missed by being in South Carolina; the other one being the solar eclipse.
Being in the northern hemisphere, I am most familiar with the northern lights—aurora borealis— but am less familiar with the southern lights—aurora australis. But the photographs on display from The 2024 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year competition are full of vibrant colors shimmering over magnificant views of our planet.
The highlighted photo is, by far, my favorite image on display in the 2024 submissions. Not only did Uroš Fink combine multiple astral entities but it also showcases his skill and mastery of his craft. A photo like this just doesn’t happen without practice and experience.
I would like to increase my skills in astrophotography in order to create compelling images similar to those published on the site.
PHOTO CREDIT: “Cosmic Explosion” by Uroš Fink was taken in Istria, Croatia. It combines the Perseid meteor shower, the northern lights, and several constellations coming together for one spectacular image.