Fascination meets light and motion as the northern skies become a living canvas. Photographers chase the aurora borealis, aiming to capture images that feel both beautiful and original, turning fleeting moments into lasting impressions for viewers worldwide.
Catch Atlas, a photography and travel blog, unveils the fifth edition of its annual Northern Lights Photographer of the Year collection. This compilation gathers what the site owners consider the 25 best images of the northern lights, offering a curated snapshot of the season from a global perspective.
The release lands in December, a peak period for aurora activity, and serves to spark wonder while sharing the wonder of this natural phenomenon. This year’s gallery features shots taken in the United States, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Canada, Russia, and New Zealand, representing 25 photographers spanning 13 different nationalities.
In selecting images, the editors weigh several factors: the technical quality of the photograph, the narrative embedded in each shot, and the overall impact or mood conveyed by the collection. The result is a diverse anthology that highlights both technical prowess and storytelling in equal measure.
The aurora season blankets the northern hemisphere from September through April, with the southern counterpart spanning March through September. The best chances to see and photograph these lights align with the autumn and spring equinoxes, a consequence of how the Earth’s axis tilts relative to the Sun.
The phenomenon arises from the interaction between solar radiation and Earth’s atmosphere, producing ethereal ribbons of color that sweep across the night sky. As solar activity climbs with the advancing solar cycle, travel restrictions ease and opportunities to witness these displays increase, inviting travelers and enthusiasts to seek out dark, high-latitude locations.
Below is the lineup of selected photographs: