Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2023 November 5
The night sky over a snowy tree-adorned landscape glows in green and purple. The auroral glow might appear to some to be shaped like a creature. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

Creature Aurora Over Norway
Image Credit & Copyright: Ole C. Salomonsen (Arctic Light Photo)

Explanation: It was Halloween and the sky looked like a creature. Exactly which creature, the astrophotographer was unsure (but possibly you can suggest one). Exactly what caused this eerie apparition in 2013 was sure: one of the best auroral displays that year. This spectacular aurora had an unusually high degree of detail. Pictured here, the vivid green and purple auroral colors are caused by high atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen reacting to a burst of incoming electrons. Birch trees in Tromsø, Norway formed an also eerie foreground. Frequently, new photogenic auroras accompany new geomagnetic storms.

Almost Hyperspace: Random APOD Generator
Tomorrow's picture: aurora red

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