Aurora and Lunar Halo Observed from Chena River, Alaska
October 11, 2024
Photographer: John Chumack
Summary Author: John Chumack
Shown above is a lunar halo and an aurora as observed from the Chena River Recreational Area on March 15, 2024. I snapped this photo just after as a snow squall moved past. Though only about 1 cm of snow fell, the air was full of ice crystals, just right for refracting moonlight when the Moon emerged from the clouds. The air temperature was a nippy -6 degrees F (-21 degrees C), and the aurora streak (left center) was indistinct at first, but by 1:30 a.m. (local time) conditions improved considerably. Then as the waxing crescent Moon was beginning to sink in the westerns sky, we were treated to this 22-degree halo and its accompanying moondogs.
Photo Details: Canon 6D DSLR camera;16 mm; F2.8; ISO 3200; 15 second exposure.
Chena River Recreational Area, Alaska Coordinates: 64.9077, -146.3475
Related Links:
Piano Keys Aurora
John's Website