Aurora Borealis- Dancing Ancestors

[Karl Johnston]

Taken over Fort Smith, NWT's slave river.

Olympus e-410 and 12-24 3.5-5.6 zuiko, positioned on the ground and held very, very very still

http://flickr.com/photos/karljohnston/2961214374/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2961214374_9f37877787.jpg?v=0

http://flickr.com/photos/karljohnston/2954319416/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2954319416_369dfa2a3a.jpg?v=0

Post processing: no levels, no curves, exposure was just right at 3.5 aperture/50 second shutter/iso 400.

There was a tilt on the hill i was on, so i straightened it and cropped.

12-24 is a sharp lens, very deadly lenses from zuiko - absolute minimal distortion. Then again the 35 mm format of this lens is 24-48, which isn't an ultra wide at all but still a wide, so distortion isn't the biggest issue.

I wish for a 14mm 2.8, or an 11-16 2.8 tokina to capture these lights and freeze their motion. It's one thing to see the flow, but to see the bands - now there's a photograph

Slideshow reveals higher res.

[Celestron]

Very nice ! Do you see alot or auroras there ?

[jgrussell]

Just once... just once... I want to see this for myself. Nice shots!

[Karl Johnston]

Thank you!

Yup, every night usually .. but lately it's been lacking, not sure why I think the magnetic storms are passing over greenland peaking at this time of year. We should get them back around january, then again I could be totally wrong but that's the time I usually see them. Jan-march and then September-Octoer:D

[Pilot Dane]

Just once... just once... I want to see this for myself. Nice shots!

If you ever fly to Europe get a window seat facing north and do not fall asleep. The aurora can be incredible and almost everyone misses it.

[mistermoe]

Beautiful! Chemical plant flares is the closest i'll ever get to seeing anything like this.

Moe

[Karl Johnston]

Ouch! I can't imagine living in the city or urban areas, i'd miss these too much. I'll have to try out the eruope thing too but I doubt they'd let me get a better angle by tilting the wings :D lol

[Nighthound]

Spectacular images Kajuah.

Anyone that has ever set eyes on this phenomenon will likely never forget it.

I've only seen them once, as a young boy over a beautiful lake in northern Michigan. The Aurora appeared and danced in the sky for what seemed like a long time. I stood mesmerized and the reflection on the water made it even better. I haven't stopped looking up at the night sky since. That night helped spark an interest in astronomy for me. I'm envious of the dark skies you have, must be stunning. Thanks for sharing these great shots.