February 2007
 
  Summary: A solar wind stream hit Earth on Feb 13th, sparking auroras from Scandinavia to Alaska. Note that several photographs in this gallery show rockets being launched from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks into the auroras overhead. On Feb. 14th, four rockets were launched. Each released a puff of trimethylaluminum (TMA), a harmless substance that glows when exposed to oxygen. By watching the swirls, researchers were able to trace high-altitude winds--important data for understanding the inner workings of aurora borealis: full story.
 
  Photographer, Location Images Comments


Steven Rast,
Fairbanks, Alaska
Feb. 27, 2007
#1

With the temperature hovering at -30F/-34C, we decided to stay indoors to watch the show.

Photo details: Canon EOS XT, 5s, f/3.5 ISO 1600


Pete Lawrence,
420m above Tromso, Norway.
Feb. 25, 2007
#1

Things were not looking good for my group of aurora chasers on the night of the 25th February as the local (terrestrial) weather forecast for partly cloudy skies looked like an understatement. Then -- as if by magic -- one of the group spotted an odd pulsing cloud to the west which was followed by a brief spell of green curtains and bands running through the zenith. Here is a photo of the aurora in Bootes, the Herdsman.

Photo details: Canon 10D DSLR, 3s @ ISO 800, using a 16mm wide-angle lens @ f/2.8.


Rune Christiansen,
Nuuk, Greenland
Feb. 23, 2007
#1

Medium bright auroras over Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.


Peter Rosen,
Abisko, Swedish Lapland
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, more

A great aurora day today. I was out for 4 hours and had a some really nice time in the Abisko NP. It was minus 25 but the aurora abviously kept me warm all the time.

Photo details: Canon EOS 5D, 24 mm:1.4 lens, 4 seconds exposure.


Lance Parrish,
Skiland, Alaska, 20 miles NE of Fairbanks
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, #2, #3,

The rocket was the fourth rocket launched from the Poker Flat Research Facility within a short time frame early this morning and the evidence of the first three rockets is visable in the picture.

Photo details: Nikon D2H, 12mm lens, f4, ISO 400, 30 secs.


Steven,
Poker Flats Launch Facility
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, #2

Taken after last launch of Aurora research rockets. White swirls and streaks are the artificial aurora from the rockets.

Photo details: Canon EOS Rebel XT, 4s, f3.5, ISO1600


James McClean,
Along the banks of the Chena River just outside Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks Alaska.
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, #2

What a great night for aurora and what a thrill to see the rockets launched from behind the surrounding hills! In the third exposure of my set of 99 I caught a bright vapour trail above and swung the lens toward it.


Pete Lawrence,
Tromso, Norway
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, #2, #3

As Leo the Lion (and Saturn) leap the cables of the Mount Storsteinen cable car, the sky was literally filled with auroral activity from Tromso last night.


Sylvain Serre,
Salluit, Nunavik, Quebec, Canada
Feb. 13, 2007
#1, #2, #3, #4, more

I took these pictures from the tundr, near the Inuit village of Salluit, Quebec, Canada.

Photo details: Canon EOS 30D, 30s, 800 ISO.


Patricia Cowern,
Porjus, Swedish Lapland 60 kms north of Arctic Circle
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, #2, #3, more

I have had guests here one week just to see Northern Lights--but it was cloudy every night. I was woken this morning at 2am by a Space Weather Alert and I woke my guests to show them what was outside. A wonderful hour of Northern Lights and extremely happy visitors, one day before they leave for England!!!!!

Photo details: Canon 10D, 20mm lens, 30 secs 400 asa.


Jan Lameer,
Porjus, Lapland, Sweden
Feb. 13, 2007
#1, more

There were a lot of ice crystals floating in the air tonight, resulting in bright light pillars above the streetlights. The weak auroral band grew into a strong auroral substorm later, but by that time the lightpillars had disappeared.

Photo details: Nikon D1H, 1600 ISO, 15 second exposure with 14mm lens at f/2.8.


Geir Oye,
Orsta, Norway
Feb. 14, 2007
#1, more

Difficult to photograph the auroras tonight, clouds and fog obstructed much of the view. This picture was taken at about am 00.54 on February 14, 2007 (local time).

Photo details: Canon Digital Rebel XT, 18 - 55 mm lens, RC-5 and tripod. ISO:1600 and exposure 35 seconds.


Petter Hamnes,
Mo i Rana, Norway
Feb. 13, 2007
#1, more

Extremely cold night out. My camera iced over, my tripod froze and so did my eyelids once. Some nice auroras tonight, varying from quiet arcs to sky-filling substorms. Glad to be indoors again though.

Photo details: Nikon D50 with Sigma 17-70 lens on tripod, f/2.8 at 17mm, 30 seconds exposure, iso400.


Andreas D. Skjervold,
Bodo, Norway
Feb. 13, 2007
#1, #2, #3, #4, more

Early out tonight to get in position for the forecasted auroras, and what a display. The maximum occured as early as 2100 local time.

Photo details: Nikon D70, Sigma 10-20mm, 20 sec, f/4, ISO400.


Lance Parrish,
Skiland, Alaska, about 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Feb. 12, 2007
#1

This was taken from Skiland, Alaska, of the launch of a four stage rocket from Poker Flat Research Range, about 25 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The launch occurred about 3:45am local time and the picture shows the first stage of the four stages.

Photo details: Nikon D2H, 12mm lens, f4, ISO 400, 30 secs.


Rune Christiansen,
Nuuk, capital of Greenland.
Feb. 3, 2007
#1, more

I went up the hill to take some night photos of my city, but the moon ring was just too interesting, and just as I had my tripod set up, the Auroras flare up for a brief moment.

Photo details: Canon EOS 5D, ISO 800, 15 sec exposure, 17mm lens, f/4.0