20 Photos Of Magical Aurora Captured For The 2024 Northern Lights Photography Competition

Few natural phenomena inspire awe and wonder quite like the Northern Lights. Each year, photographers worldwide venture to the coldest and darkest corners of the globe to capture the Aurora Borealis in all its breathtaking beauty. The annual Northern Lights Photographer of the Year competition, hosted by the travel photography blog Capture the Atlas, celebrates these incredible images. Now in its 7th edition, this prestigious competition showcases some of the most stunning and surreal photographs of the Aurora Borealis. Here’s a glimpse into this year’s winning entries and the stories behind them. More info: Instagram | Facebook | youtube.com | capturetheatlas.com

#1 “Sky Fire” – Tom Rae

Image source: txmrae Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, New Zealand. "The Milky Way arches over the dramatic landscape of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, captured during a rare G5 geomagnetic storm in May 2024. This aurora display was one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever witnessed—a magical evening watching the lights dance across the crystal-clear sky. The excitement was shared by everyone under the stars, as this aurora was potentially the strongest in a century. The image features a rare SAR (Stable Auroral Red) arc, an atmospheric phenomenon that added to the spectacle, alongside the glow of billions of stars in the Milky Way. Capturing this moment was technically challenging, but it resulted in one of the most unique depictions of the aurora from New Zealand. This photograph is not just an image but a treasured memory of an extraordinary and ethereal night."

#2 “In The Rays Of The Solar Wind” – Sergey Korolev

Image source: ksergart Rybachy Peninsula, Russia. "The Rybachy Peninsula, where this photo was taken, is located at the northern edge of the Kola Peninsula. It’s a unique natural area, home to many fascinating locations with numerous stone beaches and rocks featuring unusual shapes and structures. I fell in love with this place during my first visit 10 years ago, and now, every year, I try to return and capture something new. For this shot, I wanted to create a concept that emphasized the significance of the location, with the Northern Lights serving as a complement to the landscape. This time, the aurora was particularly powerful, casting a beautiful light over the stones. The photo is quite simple, composed of three main exposures: the first for capturing the sky, the second for the rest of the scene, and the third for focusing on the foreground."

#3 “Aurora Australis” – Marc Adamus

Image source: marcadamus Patagonia Fjords, Chile. "I’m not sure if an aurora had ever been recorded in Patagonia before, but we got incredibly lucky on the night of May 10, 2024, when a G5 storm hit. We were camped on an iceberg beach, deep in the wilderness of the Patagonia Fjords, when the incredible display unfolded."

#4 “Coronation” – Roksolyana Hilevych

Image source: roksolyana_hilevych Dolomites, Italy. "That day, after a storm of mixed snow and rain, the sky fortunately cleared after 8 p.m. (about an hour after sunset). As I walked to my location, I could already see red hues peeking through the clouds. The adrenaline and excitement were so overwhelming that I hardly noticed the cold and strong wind, which never let up during the night at 2,450 meters above sea level. I ended up taking 840 photos from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., hoping to capture the perfect moment. This photo was taken around 1:30 a.m., during the second peak of the aurora, the strongest ever, which lasted only a few seconds."

#5 “When The Aurora Meets The Milky Way” – Jānis Paļulis

Image source: latvianphotographer Bauska, Latvia. "On that night, I had originally planned to photograph the Perseid meteor shower, but the aurora forecast also looked promising, though it wasn’t my main focus at the time. I took a few photos of the stars, and then I noticed a pink glow in the corner of the sky. It was the aurora! I pointed my camera toward the southwest and took my best shot. The weather conditions were perfect, with fog adding to the atmosphere. Around midnight, the aurora display became truly stunning."

#6 “Cosmic Explosion” – Uroš Fink

Image source: urosfink Istria, Croatia. "On the night of the Perseid meteor shower, I was treated to a “multi-course menu” of the night sky. I captured the Milky Way arch with Orion, the Aurora (a first for me), the Zodiacal light, and the Perseid meteors. As if that wasn’t enough, the sky gifted me with one of the most stunning greenish airglows I’ve ever seen. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the close conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, right along the path of the Zodiacal light. In the center of the panorama is the Cap Marlera lighthouse, built in 1880 at the southeastern tip of the Istrian Peninsula. The rugged coastline, at the entrance to Kvarner, attracts fish and dolphins. This area is also home to the Mediterranean bear, though I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting one. Meteors rained down throughout the night, and I captured 75 of them using three cameras. I used the RegiStar software to seamlessly insert the meteors to the panorama in the exactly same spots as they appeared in the sky this night. It was an extraordinary, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime event, and I’m grateful and happy to have been part of it."

#7 “Devil’s Lights” – Forest Barkdoll-Weil

Image source: forestbarkdollweil Wyoming, USA. "May 10, 2024: Aurora forecasts promised an incredible display, so I drove to Devils Tower, Wyoming, to witness the event. The solar storm delivered, reaching a historic KP9, with auroras visible worldwide. As the vibrant lights danced overhead, my father was undergoing emergency surgery two thousand miles away in Maine. It was a surreal night—awed by the celestial beauty above, yet grappling with worry for my dad. The aurora offered a strange sense of comfort amidst the turmoil, grounding me in the moment as I captured this incredible phenomenon. My father, a photographer for over 50 years and the person who introduced me to this art, thankfully survived surgery and recovered after several days in the ICU. Although he missed this display, six months later, on October 10, we shared an even stronger solar storm together as a family—a memory I’ll always treasure."

#8 “Paddling Under The Aurora” – Herry Himanshu

Image source: herry.with.an.e Banff National Park, Canada. "I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, so I’ve seen and captured the aurora hundreds of times before, but that night in Banff National Park, Alberta, was unlike any other. As luck would have it, I was in Banff for a wedding that weekend when massive CMEs were predicted to hit Earth directly. As soon as it got dark, the aurora came out swinging, with vivid hues of reds, pinks, and purples dancing across the sky. I had three camera setups running timelapses in different directions, but even that wasn’t enough. One brave friend took a standup paddleboard out on the lake and modeled for us beneath the insane light show. She was the perfect complement to the aurora and the mountainous landscape. We were all in pure disbelief at the colors and patterns unfolding above us. Those shared moments of joy are what I’ll remember forever. I stayed up all night, driving hundreds of kilometers through Banff to iconic spots, capturing some of my best photos and timelapses ever."

#9 “Lake Toolondo Aurora” – Baillie Farley

Image source: bfarleyphotos Lake Toolondo, Australia. "In the early hours of the morning, Lake Toolondo was transformed into a light show. A massive solar storm illuminated the sky with bursts of red, orange, and pink, dancing above the still waters. The colors reflected off the lake, creating an almost mirror-like effect that felt surreal to witness. The dead trees along the shoreline stood silhouetted against the night sky as the aurora rippled and shimmered, turning the entire scene into something out of a dream. It was one of those moments that felt like pure magic. I spent the rest of the night at the location, capturing several images and a timelapse until dawn broke."

#10 “Magic Of The North” – Josh Beames

Image source: joshbeames Iceland. "I’ve dreamed of capturing this shot for years, and this year, everything aligned perfectly! During my annual Iceland workshop, our group witnessed the sheer power of nature as Iceland’s most recent active volcano erupted just days before. After spending hours shooting and soaking in the incredible scene, we started to wrap up and head back to the car. Then, to our amazement, the Northern Lights began dancing across the sky! I quickly launched the drone, sending it on a mission to capture this wild spectacle. Navigating through the wind, heat, and low visibility surrounding the volcano, I managed to capture a vertical panorama just as the volcanic smoke and ash shifted to the side. Moments later, the dreaded battery warning sounded, and I began the tense journey back. By this point, the wind had really picked up, and I honestly thought the drone was a goner… but with only 1% battery left, it somehow limped back to safety!"

#11 “Sky And Ice” – Henry Frakes

Image source: henryfrakes Aspiring National Park, New Zealand. "On this night, we were expecting one of the strongest solar storms of 2024, and with the vast, dark skies of the South Island of New Zealand, it was the perfect opportunity to make the most of it. As someone passionate about both the night sky and climbing, I had always wanted to capture climbing under the stars. We carried our ice climbing gear up the track and onto the glacier—a perfect spot for climbing, easy access, and, being so remote, an ideal location for photographing the aurora. At night, we climbed back onto the glacier, navigating crevasses and making the most of the incredible night. The sky shifted and faded into brilliant red beams stretching from south to north. Being surrounded by the glacier, the mountains, and the aurora was an experience I will always treasure."

#12 “Coronal Mass Eruption” – Matt Haynie

Image source: matthayniephotography California, USA. "After finally capturing the elusive Northern Lights in mid-latitudes on May 10th, 2024, I was hooked. I realized there was more to predicting the aurora’s appearance than just relying on the KP forecast, so I learned how to read the charts that determine when the lights can reach mid-latitudes. This photo is from the sixth time I’ve had the opportunity to capture them since that unforgettable night. Lassen Volcanic National Park, in Northern California, was the best option, as smoke and clouds threatened to obscure views in most nearby locations. I stayed on top of a ridge until 3 a.m., enduring frigid winds that cut through my layers, but witnessing two significant substorms made all the discomfort worthwhile."

#13 “Celestial Reflection” – Max Trafford

Image source: max.trafford Dartmoor National Park, United Kingdom. "This was my second encounter with the Northern Lights, and what an unforgettable experience it was. After a long day at work and a steady stream of Aurora alerts on my phone, I left at 5 p.m., grabbed my camera gear, and headed to the darkest spot I knew. With no phone service, I wasn’t sure if the high activity would last through the night, but I remained hopeful and began capturing photos. Almost immediately, the green glow on the horizon erupted into a stunning display of vibrant lights. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I quickly adjusted my camera settings to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event in a panorama. For nearly two hours, I was immersed in the experience, my face lighting up with a smile the whole time. Witnessing such an incredible spectacle in the UK made the sleepless night absolutely worth it!"

#14 “Looking North” – Lynsey Schroeder

Image source: lschroederphoto Arizona, USA. "It’s not every day that the Northern Lights make it as far south as Southern Arizona! I’ve been captivated by the aurora ever since I first saw it in Iceland in 2018, so when I heard there was a chance to witness it here, I didn’t hesitate to grab my gear and head into the desert with a couple of friends. My expectations were low, but the show completely exceeded them! As soon as we stepped out of the car, we could clearly see a pink glow on the horizon, occasionally pulsing with shimmering pillars as the night went on. I achieved a photography goal I never imagined I’d accomplish: capturing the aurora shining over the beautiful saguaros of the Sonoran Desert."

#15 “The Red Aurora Wall” – Vincenzo Mazza

Image source: vincenzo_mazza_photography Iceland. "This photo was taken during the massive aurora show that occurred on the night between October 10th and 11th, 2024. I’ve witnessed countless aurora displays in my life, but this one had possibly the most intense red color I’ve ever seen. It was so vivid that it was clearly visible to the naked eye."

#16 “Auroras En El Infierno” – Edén Sánchez

Image source: fotografiando_el_eden Asturias, Spain. "Seeing the Northern Lights with such intensity in Asturias is a dream come true. I remember talking with friends years ago, saying, “All we’re missing are the auroras…” And that day finally arrived! I came across several alerts on social media along with notifications from a few mobile apps—all signs pointed to something big. On the first night, I tried, but nothing appeared. The second night, however, the solar storm hit, and everything aligned perfectly. I was able to enjoy this incredible dream throughout the night, with an impressive intensity. I must admit, I still haven’t witnessed one of those truly powerful auroras like in Iceland, but dreams are meant to be fulfilled—I’ll go see them there someday!"

#17 “High Trails” – Giulio Cobianchi

Image source: giulio_cobianchi_photo Pico do Arierio, Madeira island. "I never imagined capturing the Northern Lights at 32.7 degrees north latitude, but on May 10, 2024, it happened while I was in Madeira. That night, I created another one of my “double arc” panoramas. After finishing a spring photo tour with nonstop sunrises, I was exhausted. This wasn’t part of my plan, but when aurora alerts lit up and the skies stayed clear, I couldn’t miss the opportunity. I hiked to Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira’s highest peaks, along one of Europe’s most stunning trails. When I saw a red glow to the north, I could hardly believe it. I quickly sought a composition for a 360-degree panorama, set up my star tracker to capture the Milky Way, and created this image. It shows the two queens of the night—the aurora and the Milky Way—dancing together in a breathtaking sky."

#18 “African Savanna Under The Lights Of Southern Aurora” – Egor Goryachev

Image source: eg_astrophotography Spitzkoppe, Namibia. "Everyone remembers that May night when the Northern Lights were visible across Europe and America. Unbelievably, I had the chance to witness them in Namibia, near the Tropic of Capricorn. Early in the night, the eastern sky was clear, where the Milky Way was set to rise. Seizing the opportunity, I prepared my gear for a 50mm panorama. As I worked through the layout of the Milky Way’s core, I noticed a red spot on the horizon. Over the next few hours, it grew into a massive red explosion, illuminating much of the sky. The glow persisted throughout the night as the Milky Way shifted westward, forming a morning arch. The southern sky glowed red and orange, with the Milky Way rising through the vibrant hues. For the first time, I realized I had captured a Southern Aurora. It was a moment of pure joy."

#19 “Carpe Diem” – Adrian Cormier

Image source: acormier_captures Crater Lake National Park, USA. "May 10, 2024, began like any other new moon cycle for me. I was shooting at one of my favorite spots along the Sonoma coastline. Around 2:30 a.m., I was surprised to feel my phone buzz with a notification, as my location had sporadic cell coverage. The alert was one I never expected—and will never forget! A fellow Sony Alpha photographer, who was in Nepal at the time, messaged me: “Get as far north as you can by sunset, it’s going down tonight!” A historic geomagnetic storm, possibly peaking at G5, was predicted. I immediately drove home to grab my Atlas pack full of cold weather gear. My gut told me to head to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Shortly into the drive, I learned the CLNP Rim Road was completely closed due to 7 feet of recent snowfall. Fortunately, I was prepared for deep snow conditions and pressed on. Confident and armed with snowshoes, I settled on a spot along the South Rim, east of the Crater Lake Lodge, which was closed due to the extreme snow levels. My image, “Carpe Diem,” reflects the magnificent display of geomagnetic energy that weekend, set against the iconic and unforgettable alpine landscape."

#20 “Aurora Mill” – Tobias Thäle

Image source: tobias_thaele_nightscapes Libenha, Germany. "This night will remain unforgettable. Between May 10th and 11th, a massive solar storm struck Earth with incredible force. It was triggered by a large sunspot area and an X-class solar flare (magnitude 1.0) accompanied by a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME). A total of three CMEs reached Earth, interacting and amplifying each other. At around 12:30 a.m. on May 11th, the strongest substorm hit, producing beams that extended to the zenith and beyond. The vivid colors and projections were visible to the naked eye, creating a breathtaking spectacle. It was an extraordinary experience, and we eagerly look forward to witnessing many more solar storms in the future. Clear skies!"