Aurora and Big Dipper Abstract
by Dale Kauzlaric
Title
Aurora and Big Dipper Abstract
Artist
Dale Kauzlaric
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Photography
Description
Aurora and Big Dipper Abstract by Dale Kauzlaric -- I drove east of Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin. to shoot the aurora borealis or northern lights. After I was shooting the aurora or northern light taking my usual compositions, I thought I would look for the big dipper. I knew this time of year, it would be high in the sky. I looked up for it, but I could not see, I thought that is kind of weird. After shooting some more, I looked for the big dipper again and I could see it straight over my head. Then it occurred to me, it was obscured by aurora I could not see with my eyes. So, I pointed the camera straight up on the tripod and fired off a shot. Sure enough, the aurora straight up was red. I could not see it, but the camera could capture it. This aurora event was so strong, that it was actually over my head and to the south of me. That is the first time this has happened when I was out shooting with a camera. This image shows three different colors and the big dipper in the middle, almost an abstract.
The aurora borealis or northern lights is a colored light display that is visible in the night sky, usually only around the earth’s poles. It occurs when charged particles are emitted from the Sun and ride the solar wind. The particles can be emitted by coronal mass ejection or solar flares. Only particles directed in earth’s direction can be seen in the aurora. These particles are drawn by earth's magnetic field to both polar regions. Hundreds of miles up, they collide with gas molecules and atoms, causing them to emit light. The color of the northern lights is dependent on the type of molecules or atoms, the particles collide with. Generally, the aurora is green, but it can also be red, purple or a very rare blue and in varying shades of those colors. The aurora can be seen as just a glow or as waves or pillars, depending on its intensity. The aurora has to be fairly intense to be seen in Wisconsin’s latitude. There are several factors that have to come together, in order for the aurora to be visible at our latitude and not just at the north pole. The aurora is fairly common in the arctic, but not in Wisconsin. The other big variable is you need clear skies, not clouds. To find your best chance to see the aurora, you must get away from the city lights; to somewhere where you have dark skies. Your eyes can take up to 10 minutes or more to adjust to the darkness, to see your best. Human eyes cannot see the colors that the camera sensor can gather. However, we can usually see the tints of color in the lights and this will depend on the intensity. Some people can see the colors better than others, too. No two auroras are the same and that is what is so special about this phenomenon. Good luck in your aurora hunting, but watch out, it can be addicting! -- dalekphotography.com
Uploaded
April 2nd, 2023
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