South Island Skies Illuminated by Aurora Australis

Local photographers Stephen Voss and Blair Pattinson braved freezing temperatures in the South Island to capture images of the Aurora Australis, a natural light display in the sky.

A solar storm meant that the Aurora Australis, the southern counterpart of the Aurora Borealis, was visible much further north than it usually is. Aurorae occur when cosmic rays or solar wind interact with the earth’s upper atmosphere.

Voss, a medical practitioner based at the southern tip of the South Island, has been chasing aurorae for the last 15 years.

“There is one word to describe the experience of every New Zealander who was out photographing the aurora this week … freezing,” Voss told the BBC.

Blair Pattinson, a photographer from Queenstown is also part of the community of “aurora chasers”.

“When you look at places [like] Finland, Iceland, North Canada, northern lights are very common,” Pattinson said.

“We see it more as a treat, when you see an aurora that is strong enough. It’s quite special. Many people wait years before they see them.”

Original article by BBC, June 25, 2015.

Photo by: Stephen Voss