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Aurora Austalis as seen from Antarctica. Image Credit: Patrick Cullis
Patrick Cullis captured this amazing picture of the Aurora Australis from Antarctica. The constellation Scorpius and the Milky Way can also be seen “extended vertically through a clear pocket in the aurora, while Jupiter shines brightly through the green glow on the right.” A Scott tent is also visible at the foreground.
Aurora Australis is the southern counterpart to the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. It happens as a result of the interaction between energetic particles – mostly electrons – in the solar wind and the atoms and molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, mediated by the Earth’s magnetic field. It can be seen in countries far south like Antarctica, South America, New Zealand and Australia.
Here are a few specs provided by Patrick: Canon 5D, 16mm, f/2.8, ISO 500, 30 sec exposure.
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