Dazzling Northern Lights over Iceland

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, bring many visitors to Iceland with their "dazzling colors and otherworldly glow." This collection of eleven photos tells their scientific significance and purpose for the color and height changes. According to scientists, "The shimmer arises when electrons from solar winds interact with the earth’s atmosphere, and the flowing, stream-like movements result because the winds follow the planet’s magnetic force." Each picture shown illustrates the unique patterns of the lights and colors. Interestingly, none of the light-patterns look exactly the same. Although they are only 60 miles above the Earth, they look much closer in photos. These pictures were all taken over different land masses: either water, mountains, grasslands or a city. The enchanting photos shows the light pristine colors and surrounding scenery. A few of the pictures with mountains near the water, allow the Northern lights to reflect in the water, making a more dazzling sight. Overall, Iceland, home of the Northern Lights, is lucky to have such a dazzling environmental feature in their sky. 

Ragnar Sigurdsson, the photographer, does a good job with capturing the uniqueness of the lights in different areas of Iceland. 

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/scandals-loom-over-italians-hoping-to-reclaim-papacy/2013/03/01/9a9647bc-82aa-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html?hpid=z4