D’Entrecasteaux Channel Aurora
Kev Morse
This image of Aurora Australis was captured at the mouth of the Huon River on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the early evening of 28th September, 2017. This aurora was caused by the arrival at earth earlier in that day of a high speed solar wind stream caused by a coronal hole on the sun which had 3 days earlier been in a cross equatorial position facing earth. When charged particles from the sun contained in this high speed solar wind strike atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state. When the electrons drop back to a lower energy state, they release a photon light. This process creates the beautiful aurora, or southern lights.
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.
