A short but delicate aurora activity from Nov. 7 in northern Norway at latitude 69 degrees. It was a clear night at northern end of Lofoten Islands. The Moon was shining on the calm waters of the Norwegian Sea, sinking through fantastic fjord structure of the area. Driving on the road hopeless on sighting any aurora in this low solar activity time, I was suddenly shocked by moving green rays and moving clouds toward north. It was not a major aurora activity but the scene was spectacular, the setting summer constellations on the west, the Moon and winter stars rising from the east, and the Big Bear creeping above those dancing lights.

The Northern Lights were beautiful last night outside Tromsø.

Tonight when I went out to look at the sky the effect of the aurora oval was shown nicely in the sky - this 2 minute wide-angle exposure shows how the sky was divided into dark clear skies in the south and a sky filled with faint aurora activity in the north, here divided by the Milky Way.

Photo details: Nikon D3, Nikkor 20mm, f/2.8, ISO 640, 120sec exposure.

It started to be overcast. The Northern Lights were barely visible. But long exposures got it on the camera. One of the image is an HDR. Made from 3 exposure from 6 to 30s. Used Photomatix to convert it. Here you will also notice a little startrail. Both images are shot with ISO 800 so some noise reduction have been applied.

The Northern Lights managed to show up here in Fairbanks this morning. We had a cold morning, but the view was worth it at times.