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Pilot captures jaw-dropping northern lights show from 36,000 feet (photos)
Pilot captures jaw-dropping northern lights show from 36,000 feet (photos)

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Northern lights show in the sky, appears as curtains of purple and green light covering the entire sky. city lights are visible shining below.
When a severe G4 geomagnetic storm hit, this Dreamliner pilot had the perfect front-row seat. | Credit: Matt Melnyk

Last week, skywatchers across North America were treated to an extraordinary northern lights display, but airline pilot and photographer Matt Melnyk may have had the best view of all.

Cruising at 36,000 feet (11 km) during a flight from London to Calgary, Melnyk photographed the vivid aurora show on Nov. 12 from the cockpit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

"It was a pretty special night, that's for sure!" Melnyk told Space.com in an email.

Melnyk is no stranger to flying alongside the northern lights. "This time of the year, I get to see aurora 90% of the time on my flights across Europe," Melynk said. "But this particular flight was special because a severe solar storm was in progress."

Image 1 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.

Image 2 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.

Image 3 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, a thin blue line marking Earth's atmosphere is visible in the distance.

On Nov. 11-12, a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the northern hemisphere with vibrant auroras sweeping over Canada, the U.S. and even as far south as Mexico. The dazzling display followed the arrival of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — bursts of magnetic field and plasma from the sun — launched by sunspot AR4274, one of the most energetic sunspot groups of the current solar cycle.

"It's rare to be flying at the exact time a major solar storm is happening, so I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to witness this event," Melnyk told Space.com.

To capture the scene, Melnyk used a Canon R6 Mark II paired with a Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM lens.

Image 1 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.

Image 2 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.

Image 3 of 3

curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.
curtains of magenta and green light dance in the sky, yellow spots from city lights fill the scene below.

"These photos were not that tricky to obtain thanks to new camera technology that allows me to get these photos handheld. The combination of a fast lens and a high-performing low-light camera makes it very simple." Melnyk said.

Just this week, Melnyk captured another dynamic display during a Nov. 17 flight from Calgary to London, photographing the northern lights as he flew over northeastern Alberta and north of Hudson Bay.

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inside airplane cockpit shows lights with controls and large windows with nothing but green auroras stretching outside.
inside airplane cockpit shows lights with controls and large windows with nothing but green auroras stretching outside.

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Ribbons of green light fill the sky and the northrn lights stretch on across the scene.
Ribbons of green light fill the sky and the northrn lights stretch on across the scene.

Inspired to get out and capture amazing astrophotos for yourself? Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can help you get ready to capture the next stunning skywatching event.

Editor's Note: If you snap an astrophoto and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].

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