Stars and Aurora

[Bruiser]

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a astrophotography workshop in Wellington, New Zealand.

The night looked like it would be cancelled due to cloud coverage. Just after a talk by Mark Gee , we had a break in the cloud and we all rushed down the beach of Red Rock to have a go. As the sky cleared, a gentle haze appeared south and the auroras came out to play.

Mark's 500px

https://500px.com/markg

Please feel free to comment and share

https://500px.com/photo/104591559/red-rocks-aurora-by-bruce-mackay

[antoeknee]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Great image would be pleased if I'd taken it.

[jimsphotography]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Hi,
Bloody epic shot.
You have the galactic centre of the Milky Way showing plus Megallanic Clouds ( smaller galaxies that are close to ours which are being ripped apart by the huge tidal gravitational force produced by the spiral arms of our own much larger Galaxy). You also have what appears to be a magenta reddish aurora which is likely to be oxygen molecules in the upper atmosphere being excited by incoming plasma from the sun. The usual greenish aurora is oxygen being excited at lower levels.
The Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2015 closes this Thursday - it's free to enter - it has a special aurora photography section - and this is such a good shot you would be a bit crazy not to enter it.
I do know a good astro shot when I see one ( I have been 3 times a finalist in APOTY & was fortunate to be the overall winner in 2014). I would also send a copy to NASA as it might get selected for the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) - I have been also selected twice for that as well. If you need any help just ask.best of luck !
You would have my vote !
James

[tesarver]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Beautiful Image. Very well done.

Tom

[Dave s]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Fantastic mate what an image ,certainly inspires others to get out and give it a go.

[Bruiser]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Thanks everyone. I would love to see the green aurora James. But we only seem to get the red in Wellington. I assume we are just seeing the top of what the others are seeing down south...

[jimsphotography]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Thanks everyone. I would love to see the green aurora James. But we only seem to get the red in Wellington. I assume we are just seeing the top of what the others are seeing down south...

Hard to tell but I guess that is the answer - very similar to the aurora seen in North Britain.
James

[AlexR!]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Bruiser, I know nothing about astro photography, but I can recognise a stonkingly good image when I see one. And that is one.

[Housey]

Re: Stars and Aurora

A joy to look at.

Kevin

[paulr5604]

Re: Stars and Aurora

A great shot looks even better when you click the 500px link

[Bruiser]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Thanks again, here is another from the night. Everyone heading down the beach.

I so love the 6d, must admit, I was nervous buying it, but it capabilities are amazing.

Red Rocks Workshop 11042015 (1 of 1).jpg

[Redgrape]

Re: Stars and Aurora

A fantastic shot, I saw the stars but not the aurora while in New Zealand and it certainly is a wow factor!

Sue

[Parsen66]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Absolutely fantastic

[paul linton]

Re: Stars and Aurora

Great astro imagery.

Paul