Aussie state featured in stunning snaps from Northern Lights photo contest
Travel photography website Capture the Atlas has published its seventh edition of the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year competition, with the work of two Australian photographers recognised among the world's best images.
The winning aurora displays have been captured from rare locations in Australia, southern Europe, the southern states of the US, the Chilean Patagonia and more.
Sky Fire
Photographer Tom Rae has captured the Milky Way as it arches over the dramatic landscape of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand during a rare G5 geomagnetic storm.
"This aurora display was one of the most breathtaking sights I've ever witnessed," Rae said.
"A magical evening watching the lights dance across the crystal-clear sky.
"The excitement was shared by everyone under the stars, as this aurora was potentially the strongest in a century."
Sky and Ice
Henry Frakes was expecting one of the strongest solar storms of the year when he took this photo.
Under the dark skies of the South Island of New Zealand, the photographer had the "perfect opportunity to make the most of it".
"As someone passionate about both the night sky and climbing, I had always wanted to capture climbing under the stars," Frakes said.
"We carried our ice climbing gear up the track and onto the glacier — a perfect spot for climbing, easy access, and, being so remote, an ideal location for photographing the aurora.
"At night, we climbed back onto the glacier, navigating crevasses and making the most of the incredible night.
"The sky shifted and faded into brilliant red beams stretching from south to north.
"Being surrounded by the glacier, the mountains and the aurora is an experience I will always treasure."
A Historic Night: Northern Lights at Étretat
For two years, Julien Looten travelled regularly to the cliffs of Étretat on the north coast of France.
The photographer ventured several hours from home in a bid to capture the aurora over this iconic landscape.
"After many unsuccessful attempts, my perseverance was finally rewarded," Looten said.
"This panoramic image captures a sky filled with vibrant auroras stretching 180 degrees from the southwest to the northeast.
"The display includes hues of pink, violet, and blue, with a green band near the horizon."
Lake Toolondo Aurora
In the early hours of the morning, Lake Toolondo in Victoria was transformed into a light show to the delight of Baillie Farley.
A massive solar storm illuminated the sky with bursts of red, orange, and pink, dancing above the still waters.
"The colours reflected off the lake, creating an almost mirror-like effect that felt surreal to witness," Farley said.
"The dead trees along the shoreline stood silhouetted against the night sky as the aurora rippled and shimmered, turning the entire scene into something out of a dream.
"It was one of those moments that felt like pure magic."
Looking North
Lynsey Schroeder has been captivated by the northern lights since a trip to Iceland in 2018.
When the photographer heard there was a chance to capture the aurora in Southern Arizona, a trip to the US desert region with friends was a no brainer.
"My expectations were low, but the show completely exceeded them," Schroeder said.
"As soon as we stepped out of the car, we could clearly see a pink glow on the horizon, occasionally pulsing with shimmering pillars as the night went on.
"I achieved a photography goal I never imagined I'd accomplish: capturing the aurora shining over the beautiful saguaros of the Sonoran Desert."
Magic of the North
Josh Beames dreamed of capturing this shot for years.
"This year everything aligned perfectly," the photographer said.
"During my annual Iceland workshop, our group witnessed the sheer power of nature as Iceland's most recent active volcano erupted just days before.
"After spending hours shooting and soaking in the incredible scene, we started to wrap up and head back to the car.
"Then, to our amazement, the northern lights began dancing across the sky"
Gibson Glow
Photographer David Tanis ventured to Gibson Steps in Victoria to capture this spectacular sight.
"The beach was crowded with photographers and onlookers because the aurora would be visible to the naked eye," Tanis said.
"I started shooting on the beach but later moved to a cave at the beach's end, where I had planned to capture the Milky Way rising within the frame.
"Although the aurora dimmed slightly, the cave was familiar, and I knew exactly where to position myself.
"Suddenly, vibrant beams appeared, visible to the naked eye, creating a magical moment for everyone."
Cosmic Explosion
On the night of the Perseid meteor shower, Uroš Fink was treated to a "multi-course menu" of the night sky at Istria in Croatia.
The photographer captured the Milky Way arch with Orion, the Aurora, the Zodiacal light and the Perseid meteors.
"As if that wasn't enough, the sky gifted me with one of the most stunning greenish airglows I've ever seen," Fink said.
"In the center of the panorama is the Cap Marlera lighthouse, built in 1880 at the southeastern tip of the Istrian Peninsula.
"Meteors rained down throughout the night and I captured 75 of them using three cameras.
"It was an extraordinary, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime event, and I'm grateful and happy to have been part of it."
Coronation
This stunning scene was captured at the Dolomites in Italy after a day of snow and rain.
"As I walked to my location, I could already see red hues peeking through the clouds," photographer Roksolyana Hilevych said.
"The adrenaline and excitement were so overwhelming that I hardly noticed the cold and strong wind, which never let up during the night at 2450 metres above sea level."
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
