Aurora Rays in the Northeast (March 23, 2023)

Auroral streamers or rays rather than curtains as part of the pulsating phase of the great equinox display of Northern Lights on March 23, 2023. The rays have a strong vertical structure from precipitating electrons but were pulsing off and on rather than rippling. While the predominent colour is green, there is a lot of red and magenta mixed in, with just a hint of a pink nitrogen fringe at right. This is looking north to northeast. Cassiopeia is at left. This is a single 2-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and the Canon R6 at ISO 3200.

Aurora at the Zenith #6 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Leo is below the convergence point. At this time later in the display the rays showed a lot of red as well as green. A short exposure helped freeze the rapid pulsations and capture the structure. This is a single 2-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and Canon R6 at ISO 3200.

Aurora at the Zenith #5 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Leo is just below the convergence point. The Big Dipper is at top. At this time later in the display the rays showed a lot of red as well as green. A short exposure helped freeze the rapid pulsations and capture the structure. This is a single 2-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and Canon R6 at ISO 2500.

Aurora at the Zenith #4 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Leo is just below the convergence point. The Big Dipper is at top. At this time later in the display the rays showed a lot of red as well as green. A short exposure helped freeze the rapid pulsations and capture the structure. An odd magenta ray appears here near the zenith. This is a single 2-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and Canon R6 at ISO 2500.

Selfie Under the Equinox Aurora (March 23, 2023)

A selfie of me under the Northern Lights display of March 23, 2023, from home in Alberta. This is looking south, with Orion at right. A single shot with the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm lens at f/2.

Aurora Rays Over House #2 (March 23, 2023)

Auroral streamers or rays rather than classic curtains as part of the pulsating phase of the great equinox display of Northern Lights on March 23, 2023. The rays have a strong vertical structure from precipitating electrons but were pulsing off and on rather than rippling. While the predominent colour is green, there is a lot of red and magenta mixed in. The rays are converging upward to the magnetic zenith. This is looking northwest over my house. A short exposure froze the motion and pulsations to better record the structure. Cassiopeia is at centre. The Pleiades are at left. This is a single 1-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and the Canon R6 at ISO 6400. Taken from home in southern Alberta.

Aurora Rays in the North (March 23, 2023)

Auroral curtains in the northern sky as part of the great equinox display of Northern Lights on March 23, 2023. This is looking north with Cassiopeia at left. The curtains were part of the pulsating phase of this display. A short exposure helped freeze the motion and structure. This is a single 1-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and the Canon R6 at ISO 6400.

Aurora at the Zenith #3 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora mostly in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Gemini is at the convergence point. Leo is below centre. The Big Dipper is at upper left. This is a single 1.6-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 6400.

Aurora Rays in the South (March 23, 2023)

Auroral streamers or rays rather than curtains as part of the pulsating phase of the great equinox display of Northern Lights on March 23, 2023. The rays have a strong vertical structure from precipitating electrons but were pulsing off and on rather than rippling. While the predominent colour is green, there is a lot of red and magenta mixed in. The rays appear to be converging up toward the magnetic zenith. This is looking south. Orion is at right. This is a single 2.5-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and the Canon R6 at ISO 3200. Taken from home in southern Alberta.

Aurora Rays Over House #1 (March 23, 2023)

Auroral streamers or rays rather than curtains as part of the pulsating phase of the great equinox display of Northern Lights on March 23, 2023. The rays have a strong vertical structure from precipitating electrons but were pulsing off and on rather than rippling. While the predominent colour is green, there is a lot of red and magenta mixed in. The rays are converging upward to the magnetic zenith. This is looking east over my house. This is a single 2.5-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 and the Canon R6 at ISO 1600. Taken from home in southern Alberta.

Auroral Curtains in the West (March 23, 2023)

Auroral curtains in the western sky on March 23, 2023 during the great equinox show that night. This is looking southwest to northwest with the Moon and Venus above the clouds lit yellow by light pollution from Calgary to the west from my location. Orion is at far left, Taurus and the Pleiades at left of centre, and Perseus and Cassiopeia at right of centre. This is a panorama of 4 segments, each 5-second exposures with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 and Canon R6 at ISO 1600.

Aurora at the Zenith #2 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora mostly in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. The predominent colour is magenta in this scene. Orion is at lower right. Gemini is at the convergence point. This is a single 5-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 1600.

Aurora at the Zenith #1 (March 23, 2023)

A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith, a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23, 2023, with the aurora mostly in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. This was early on in the evening when the sky still had some twilight colours, and with sunlight illuminating the high curtains. Orion is at lower right. This is a single 5-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 400.

Aurora with Cinnamon Roll Curtains (March 23, 2023)

A colourful display of aurora on March 23, 2023 during the great equinox show that night. This is looking north toward Cassiopeia and Little Dipper with Polaris, and with nice green and magenta curtains. The notable feature is the curling curtains in what is called a "cinnamon roll" shape. This is a single 5-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 400.

Aurora with Magenta Curtains (March 23, 2023)

A colourful display of aurora on March 23, 2023 during the great equinox show that night. This is looking northwest toward the Big Dipper and Little Dipper with Polaris, and with nice green and magenta curtains. The dark streak is an aircraft contrail seen in silhouette in front of the Lights. This is a single 10-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 800.

Aurora in the Evening Twilight (March 23, 2023)

Auroral curtains in the evening twilight on March 23, 2023 during the great equinox show that night. This is looking west toward the sunset glow and with the Moon and Venus above the clouds lit yellow by light pollution from Calgary to the west from my location. This is a single 10-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 and Canon R6 at ISO 800.

Aurora with Colorful Curtains (March 23, 2023)

A particularly colourful display of aurora on March 23, 2023 during the great equinox show that night. This is looking northwest toward the Big Dipper and over my house in southern Alberta. This is a single 10-second exposure with the Venus Optics 15mm lens and Canon R6 at ISO 800.

Equinox Aurora in Twilight Panorama #3 Spherical (March 23, 2023)

A 360° fish-eye panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23, 2023, with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night. A purple arc stretches high across the sky, looking a little like a STEVE arc (but it isn't), with a green band below it to the south. The green arc has some of the features of a "dunes" aurora in that it shows horizontal streaks. This is looking east (at left) to south (at bottom), to west (at right toward the sunset twilight) and north (at top). The zenith is at centre where the rays of the puple arc converge. The crescent Moon and Venus shine above the bright twilight arch. Orion and the winter stars are below centre. Leo and the spring stars are rising over my house at left. The Big Dipper is at top left. Shot from the field across the road from home, in southern Alberta. This is a stitch of 16 segments each 10 seconds with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 on the Canon R6 at ISO 800. The camera was turned portrait for vertically oriented segments. Stitched with PTGui with spherical projection.

Equinox Aurora in Twilight Panorama #3 (March 23, 2023)

A 360° panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23, 2023, with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night. A purple arc stretches high across the sky, looking a little like a STEVE arc (but it isn't STEVE), with a green band below it. The green arc has some of the features of a "dunes" aurora in that it shows horizontal streaks. This is looking east (at left) to south (at centre), to west (right of centre toward the sunset twilight) and north (at either end). The zenith is at top where the rays of the puple arc converge. The crescent Moon and Venus shine above the bright twilight arch. Orion and the winter stars are at centre. Leo and the spring stars are rising over my house at left. The Big Dipper is at far left, distorted by the panorama projection. Shot from the field across the road from home, in southern Alberta. This is a stitch of 16 segments each 10 seconds with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 on the Canon R6 at ISO 800. The camera was turned portrait for vertically oriented segments. Stitched with PTGui with equirectangular projection.

Aurora with Dunes Structures (March 23, 2023)

The aurora of March 23, 2023, caught early in the evening when there was a green arc to the south as the sky darkened that exhibited a "dunes" type of structure, with horizontal banding rather than vertical rays or curtains. Above is a purple arct that has some characteristics of a STEVE arc but is likely a standard vertical curtain. At right are Venus and the crescent Moon below, above the glow of twilight. Orion is left of centre, with Sirius embedded in the dunes arc. This is looking southwest to west. The time was about 9 pm MDT. This is a panorama made of a stitch of 6 segments, each 10 seconds at ISO 800 with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 and Canon R6, turned to portrait orientation. Stitched with PTGui.

Equinox Aurora in Twilight Panorama #2 Spherical (March 23, 2023)

A 360° fish-eye panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23, 2023, with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night. A purple arc stretches high across the sky, looking a little like a STEVE arc, with a green band below it to the south. The green arc has some of the features of a "dunes" aurora in that it shows horizontal streaks. This is looking east (at left) to south (at bottom), to west (at right toward the sunset twilight) and north (at top). The zenith is at centre where the rays of the puple arc converge. The crescent Moon and Venus shine above the bright twilight arch. Orion and the winter stars are below centre. Leo and the spring stars are rising over my house at left. The Big Dipper is at top left beside an odd isolated ray of aurora. Shot from the field across the road from home, in southern Alberta. This is a stitch of 16 segments each 10 seconds with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 on the Canon R6 at ISO 800. The camera was turned portrait for vertically oriented segments. Stitched with PTGui with spherical projection.

Equinox Aurora in Twilight Panorama #2 (March 23, 2023)

A 360° panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23, 2023, with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night. A purple arc stretches high across the sky, looking a little like a STEVE arc, with a green band below it. The green arc has some of the features of a "dunes" aurora in that it shows horizontal streaks. This is looking east (at left) to south (at centre) to west (right of centre toward the sunset twilight) and north (at far right). The zenith is at top where the rays of the puple arc converge. The crescent Moon and Venus shine above the bright twilight arch. Orion and the winter stars are at centre. Leo and the spring stars are rising over my house at left. The Big Dipper is at far right beside an odd isolated ray of aurora. Shot from the field across the road from home, in southern Alberta. This is a stitch of 16 segments each 10 seconds with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 on the Canon R6 at ISO 800. The camera was turned portrait for vertically oriented segments. Stitched with PTGui with equirectangular projection.

Equinox Aurora in Twilight Panorama #1 (March 23, 2023)

A 270° panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23, 2023, as it was beginning to emerge in the darkening twilight sky. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night. Visible is a purple arc high across the sky, looking a little like a STEVE arc, with a green band below it. The green arc has some of the features of a "dunes" aurora in that it shows horizontal streaks. This is looking east to south to west, with the view at right toward the sunset twilight with the crescent Moon and Venus above the still bright twilight sky. Orion and the winter stars are at centre. Leo and the spring stars are rising over my house at left. Shot from the field across the road from home, in southern Alberta. This is a stitch of 11 segments each 8 seconds with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/4 on the Canon R6 at ISO 400. The camera was turned portrait for vertically oriented segments. Stitched with PTGui.

Auroral Arc Between the Milky Ways

This is a 270° panorama of the auroral arc seen across the northern sky on January 14, 2023. It is framed between the setting summer Milky Way (at left in the northwest) and the rising winter Milky Way (at right in the southeast). To the west (right) of the winter Milky Way is Orion, with Sirius below, while above is Aldebaran, the Hyades, reddish Mars, and the blue Pleiades at upper right. The Big Dipper and Ursa Major are above the main arc of aurora to the north at centre. Polaris is at top, left of centre. Cygnus (with the star Deneb) and Lyra (with the star Vega) are setting at left above my house. The auroral arc shows the characteristic yellow-green colour but also upper altitude reds, both from oxygen atoms. The Kp index was about 4 this night, though peaking to Kp5 at times. Clouds rolling in later prevented me from catching more of the show later when it apparently got more active. Taken from home in southern Alberta (latitude 51° N) on January 14, 2023, in a 7-section panorama, each section with the Venus Optics 15mm lens at f/2 on the AstroGear filter-modified Canon R at ISO 800, for 20 seconds each. Stitched with Adobe Camera Raw. I was testing the Canon R camera this night.