The Aurora Borealis As You've Never Seen It

When I tell people that I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, everyone always asks me what it's like to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). I always try to explain how it looks by relating it to a laser show or smoke streams but I've never found a way to describe it to someone who hasn't seen it for themselves. Two days ago Terje Sorgjerd created the best visual representation of the Aurora Borealis I have ever seen from Pas National Park near the Russian border. Using a timelapse dolly from Dynamic Perceptions, a Canon 5D Mark II, and a few wide angle lenses, Terje was able to take long exposure iamges and size them down to create an 4K video masterpiece. Check out the Geophysical Institute if you live near the North Pole and want to monitor the activity of the Aurora.

Patrick Hall's picture

Patrick Hall is a founder of Fstoppers.com and a photographer based out of Charleston, South Carolina.

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30 Comments

that's incredible !

stunning

Finally something posted on fstoppers that I don't hate

I don't think they are long exposures, at least not any longer than a few seconds. Otherwise you would see longer trails to the stars and more blurring to the clouds and the trees. Most likely high iso images.

@Keith, Terje commented on his vimeo channel that the exposures ranged from a second to several seconds long...I agree they probably aren't long enough to cause stars to leave trails

Wow. Just Wow. love it, good job.

breathless....

That is so mother f-stoppin' cool!

Wow!! Amazing!!

I never comment on these, but watch almost every video you post.. This is absolutely stunning! Lucky you to grow up there!

4k, can't wait till DSLRs are doing 4k as standard

Stunning is the word!

Stunning, thanks for sharing, amazing film.

@ Patrick
I knew I liked you. Born and raised in Fairbanks.

Awesome stuff guys, love this video.

Yeah - that's amazing.

Oh.My.God.

Absolutely amazing. Coming from Australia, this is something that I wish with all my heart to experience. Your video was the closest thing I've come to it yet!

Thankyou.

WOW!

This video is amazing guys! Thanks for sharing!

Our world is full of wonder...

Incredible work!!! What was the soundtrack song?? thanks!

@Sy, its from the movie gladiator, artist hans zimmer, title now we are free

Actually it's Pasvik Nationalpark by the Russian Taiga http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_and_Russian_taiga
Close to Kirkenes not far from the Russian north western border http://www.kirkenesinfo.no/hXGXzmwtDWWt.9.idium

Awesome job on the video. I will have to use this next time people ask me about them. I still recommend to anyone to see them for yourself irl. Even this video doesn't give The pure amazement and enjoyment of seeing them is unbelievable.

Here is another video that was just posted yesterday that I think might be even better. I never get tired of watching these types of videos.

http://vimeo.com/21419634

fun fact: The aurora borealis and the aurora australias are exact mirror images of each other. Whatever one is doing the other mirroring perfectly, simultaneously, on the other side of the globe.

Magnific, Awesome job on the video and very nice music.

anyone knows what music is???

Magnific, Awesome job on the video and very nice music.

Music is Gladiator soundtrack "Now we are free"

What is the blue light in the tree? @ 1:38 mins?

Amazing vid by the way!

Chris

Very Very moving.  Amazing..  TY for sharing with those of us who have never seen!