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Credit & Copyright: Mickael Coulon
Explanation:
Is this the largest hummingbird ever?
Although it may look like a popular fluttering
nectarivore,
what is pictured is actually a beautifully detailed and colorful
aurora,
complete with rays reminiscent of feathers.
This aurora was so bright that
it was visible to the unaided eye during
blue hour -- just after sunset when the
sky appears a darkening blue.
However, the
aurora only looked like a
hummingbird through a sensitive camera able to pick up faint glows.
As reds typically occurring higher in the
Earth's atmosphere than the greens, the real
3D shape of
this aurora would likely appear unfamiliar.
Auroras
are created when an
explosion on the Sun
causes high energy particles to flow into the Earth's atmosphere and
excite atoms and molecules of nitrogen and oxygen.
The
featured image was captured about two weeks ago above
Lyngseidt,
Norway.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: aurora borealis
Publications with words: aurora borealis
See also: