Northern lights and comet PanSTARRS C018 / 2269

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Northern lights and comet PanSTARRS C018 / 2269

Northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, and comet PanSTARRS (C/2011 L4, bottom right). Discovered in June 2011 with the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, this comet reached perihelion on 10 March 2013. Auroral displays are caused by interactions between energetic charged particles from the Sun, and the Earths atmosphere. Moving at 400-500 kilometres a second, the charged particles of the solar wind are drawn by Earths magnetic field to the poles, where they collide with gas atoms and molecules, causing them to emit light. Green light is from oxygen atoms. Photographed in Iceland

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Media ID 9208947

© JEREMY WALKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Atmospheric Phenomenon Aurora Borealis Aurorae Auroral Comet Dark Electromagnetic Glow Glowing Iceland Light Magnetic Moon Night Sky Night Time Northern Lights Oxygen Emission Solar Wind Space Weather C 2011 L4

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the mesmerizing dance of two celestial wonders - the ethereal Northern lights and the elusive comet PanSTARRS C018 / 2269. Taken in Iceland, this image showcases the enchanting beauty of nature's light show against a dark, moonlit night sky. The Northern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a result of energetic charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth's atmosphere. As these particles travel at astonishing speeds of 400-500 kilometers per second, they interact with gas atoms and molecules in our atmosphere, causing them to emit vibrant hues of green light - as seen in this photograph. In the bottom right corner lies comet PanSTARRS (C/2011 L4), discovered by astronomers using the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii back in June 2011. This celestial wanderer reached its closest point to the Sun on March 10th, 2013 - an event known as perihelion. Its presence adds an extra touch of magic to this already breathtaking scene. Photographer Jeremy Walker skillfully captured this extraordinary moment where natural phenomena intertwine harmoniously. The magnetic forces generated by Earth draw solar wind particles towards its poles, creating stunning displays like these Northern lights that illuminate our skies. This awe-inspiring print serves as a reminder of both our planet's remarkable atmospheric phenomenon and humanity's enduring fascination with space exploration and discovery.

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