March 20, 2017
Some stars end in silence, some in fire, and some leave behind the raw materials for birthdays.
The Aurora Tree
Birthday · March 20, 2017
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published March 20, 2017. Credit: Alyn Wallace Photography. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Yes, but can your tree do this? Pictured is a visual coincidence between the dark branches of a nearby tree and bright glow of a distant aurora. The beauty of the aurora -- combined with how it seemed to mimic a tree right nearby -- mesmerized the photographer to such a degree that he momentarily forgot to take pictures. When viewed at the right angle, it seemed that this tree had aurora for leaves! Fortunately, before the aurora morphed into a different overall shape, he came to his senses and capture the awe-inspiring momentary coincidence. Typically triggered by solar explosions, aurora are caused by high energy electrons impacting the Earth's atmosphere around 150 kilometers up. The unusual Earth-sky collaboration was witnessed earlier this month in Iceland. Follow APOD on: Facebook, Google Plus, Instagram, or Twitter
Image credit: Alyn Wallace Photography