Red Airglow above Lake Tyrrell

Will Eades Photography

Dark Skies...

This image was planned to position the Milky Way arching over Lake Tyrrell in the remote Australian inland. When the first test shots were checked, I noticed the sky had a vibrant red tinge to it! Aurora Borealis? No way… not this far north. So what then? Why was my nice dark night sky suddenly red?

The process is known as ‘Airglow’, and it involves atoms, molecules and ions reacting in the upper atmosphere. This phenomenon can produce greens, reds and yellows which are barely visible to the naked eye - but a long exposure looking West revealed what was hidden.

This image also shows the Zodiacal Light to the left of the frame, and the golden point of light on the horizon is Venus on the rise.

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Collections: Astro, Full Portfolio

Type: Photographic Print