Northern Lights in Yellowstone National Park

The aurora borealis viewed from Lake Butte lookout along the eastern shores of Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National park. One of the more memorable natural phenomenon I have viewed since I have been photographing.

comments (7)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Wow, and so many stars, so beautiful! Posted 8 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Yes it was a very clear night...and pretty chilly, too. But well worth it :) Posted 8 years ago

Stuart

Lion

That would make a fantastic canvas. Very nice indeed - I'm a huge fan of astrophotography myself - just need more practice (and less cloud here in the UK!!!) Posted 8 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Stuart! I would like to print this one someday and hang it at home. I really don't have a ton of experience shooting at night, but I do have the time now and then to get out and play around with my equipment. As long as you have a sturdy tripod and a remote, you can take some really cool photos. Good luck! I hope the skies clear up for you :) Posted 8 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

A truly unique photo, Travis! I had no idea the northern lights were visible from around there. Posted 8 years ago

abhitap

Lion

Beautiful! Posted 8 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Today's Facebook post:

Similar to the Earth, the sun has an atmosphere. But, the sun’s atmosphere is primarily made of hydrogen. And, because the sun is so hot, some of its atmosphere actually “boils” away. The resulting movement of electrons and other particles away from the sun’s surface causes a phenomenon called solar wind. The particles in the solar wind travel through space at an incredible speed of about one million miles per hour! Some of those particles reach the Earth’s atmosphere, where they are attracted to the magnetic fields of the poles. As the particles move, they crash into oxygen and nitrogen atoms. These collisions cause the release of energy in the form of light. The light forms an aurora, the colors of which depend on the atoms involved in the collision. Oxygen atoms close to the Earth create a green light, while nitrogen atoms give off red or blue light. As a result of this astronomical activity, we mere humans get to enjoy the northern and southern lights, also known as the aurora borealis and aurora australis! {The northern lights, spotted in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming by JungleDragon user, travismorhardt} #JungleDragon Posted 5 years ago