On 11th May, I was hosting an astrophotography workshop in the Mackenzie Region. Knowing an aurora was on its way, we packed up as the sun set and spent the evening travelling to different spots.
Later in the night, we arrived at this location, which I’d chosen for its striking foreground and flowing water, perfect for capturing the event.
At 2:35 a.m. (12th May), the aurora erupted into a stunning display, with a Stable Auroral Red Arc (SAR arc) stretching across the sky over Aoraki. It was a mesmerising moment, with glowing zones caused by emissions from neutral atomic oxygen. The scale and intensity of the colours were extraordinary, and I was grateful to share this rare experience with clients, who were just as awestruck.
