Aurora Australis and Milky Way at Twilight
Daniel Lam
The Aurora Australis photographed due west near Nile Tasmania during the G2 geomagnetic storm on 7th November 2017, framing up a rare sight of a pink arc on top of green auroral patches coinciding with our galaxy, the Milky Way, at astronomical twilight. The aurora occurs when particles from the sun (in the right magnetic conditions) interacts with particles in the ionosphere near Earth’s north and south magnetic poles, radiating photons of different wavelengths and is detected as the different auroral colours through camera sensors and sometimes through our eyes.
BEAKER STREET SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
This photograph was a finalist in Beaker Street’s annual Science Photography Prize. This highly-respected prize invites all Tasmanians to showcase the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — which is teeming with science and scientists. Finalist images are displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during Beaker Street Festival each August, with great prizes on offer for Judges’ and People’s Choice winners.
The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize would not be possible without the support of Full Gamut, Tasmania’s premier fine art printers and long-time sponsor of this competition. Many thanks also go to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which donates a generous prize for the People’s Choice winner.
