Prepare to be amazed as we dive into a breathtaking celestial spectacle!
Last week, a jaw-dropping display of the northern lights, or aurora, captivated skywatchers across North America. But one individual had an unparalleled view - Matt Melnyk, an airline pilot and photographer, captured this extraordinary event from a unique perspective - 36,000 feet in the air.
During a flight from London to Calgary, Melnyk, an experienced aurora chaser, photographed the vivid lights from the cockpit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. He shared his excitement, saying, "This time of year, I often get to see the aurora, but this flight was exceptional due to a severe solar storm."
The northern hemisphere was treated to a dazzling show on November 11-12, with vibrant auroras reaching as far south as Mexico. This spectacular display was triggered by multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, launched by an energetic sunspot group.
Melnyk considers himself fortunate to have witnessed this rare event, stating, "It's not often you're flying during a major solar storm."
To capture these stunning images, Melnyk utilized a Canon R6 Mark II paired with a Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM lens, taking advantage of modern camera technology that allows for handheld astrophotography. He explained, "The combination of a fast lens and a high-performance low-light camera makes it incredibly simple."
And the show continues! Just this week, Melnyk captured another dynamic display during a flight from Calgary to London, photographing the northern lights over northeastern Alberta and Hudson Bay.
If you're inspired to chase your own astrophotography dreams, check out our recommendations for the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography. Get ready to capture the next awe-inspiring skywatching event!
Remember, if you snap an astrophoto you'd like to share, send it to Space.com at spacephotos@space.com, along with your name, location, and any comments.
This article was written by Daisy Dobrijevic, a space enthusiast and editor at Space.com, who has a passion for solar activity and space weather, and a love for chasing the northern lights.
And here's a thought-provoking question for our readers: Do you think the accessibility of advanced camera technology democratizes astrophotography, making it more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
