Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis Pictures
The northern lights, also called the aurora borealis, are created when highly charged particles from the Sun strike the Earth’s magnetic field. Depending on how high above the ground they are, these northern lights will appear in different shapes and colors. Our northern lights photo gallery gives you a window on this natural wonder, with images from Alaska and Iceland. All our Aurora Borealis pictures are available for stock licensing. Northern Lights Images are also available as prints.

Aurora Borealis Forms Curtain Pattern Over Wiseman AlaskaArctic Circle light display - A vibrant display of lights shines over Wiseman, Alaska during the peak time of the year to view the Aurora Borealis. This natural light display, also known as the Northern Lights, is produced by solar wind particles in earth's magnetic field. Here, an auroral curtain pattern fills the sky with waves undulating back forth with varying light intensity. This magnificent light display occurred during moonrise over the Smith Creek Dome, Midnight Dome Peaks.
Stock Image #20140318-234212
Stock Image #20140318-234212

Glowing Yellow Tent Set Up Under Aurora BorealisCamping under the stars - A lone adventurer braves the cold to witness the beauty of the Northern Lights glimmering throughout the night in the far reaches of Alaska in early Spring.
The brilliant light show was being viewed near the remote town of Wiseman, Alaska where average low temperatures in January hover around -21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stock Image #20140320-225304
The brilliant light show was being viewed near the remote town of Wiseman, Alaska where average low temperatures in January hover around -21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stock Image #20140320-225304

Northern Lights Above Skogafoss Waterfall In IcelandSkógafoss might be Iceland’s most famous waterfall, but you’ve probably never seen it quite like this before. The aurora borealis adds an ethereal magic to the scene.
Skógafoss is no stranger to stunning light shows. During the day, its huge volume of spray produces big rainbows.
Stock Image #20190901-15500514
Skógafoss is no stranger to stunning light shows. During the day, its huge volume of spray produces big rainbows.
Stock Image #20190901-15500514

Tent And Northern Lights On The Koyukuk River In AlaskaThe Koyukuk River was the site of an offshoot from the Yukon Gold Rush of 1898. The rumor of gold in the Koyukuk drew prospectors from the lower 48, but many of them turned around when they learned just how cold it actually gets in Alaska. You can still find their abandoned boats along the river.
Even in these warmer times, it’s already cold enough in October to camp on the river safely.
Stock Image #20181008-23010607
Even in these warmer times, it’s already cold enough in October to camp on the river safely.
Stock Image #20181008-23010607

The Perfect Spot For The Northern LightsThe Middle Fork Koyukuk River in Alaska provides the perfect location for us to photograph the northern lights. The lights themselves are magnificent, but to capture to reflection off the water makes everything more surreal.
The Koyukuk flows south through Gates of the Arctic National Park, the least visited in the entire American system. Only about 11,000 people arrive every year.
Stock Image #20181006-03084552
The Koyukuk flows south through Gates of the Arctic National Park, the least visited in the entire American system. Only about 11,000 people arrive every year.
Stock Image #20181006-03084552

Northern Lights Pattern Forms Over Mountain PeaksAurora Borealis shines over mountains - A unique northern lights pattern emerges over the Arctic Circle in Northern Alaska during early Spring above the tree-lined hills and snow-packed peaks. The aurora forms bands during periods of moderate-to-high solar activity and is most visible during times during the equinox, in early Spring and Fall, when the earth is farthest north or south of the sun's equator.
Stock Image #20140317-225431
Stock Image #20140317-225431

Northern Lights With Star Trails Illuminate Mountain PeaksNorthern lights time lapse - This photo was taken on a 35 minute exposure, during the Aurora Borealis in Alaska's Arctic Circle. The image includes the Northern Star, and the surrounding stars take on a circular dimension as the earth rotates. The mountains lighted under the brilliant sky are the Smith Creek Dome and Midnight Dome Peaks.
Stock Image #20140318-215055
Stock Image #20140318-215055

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall With Northern LightsThe famous Icelandic waterfall of Seljalandsfoss with the spectacular Northern Lights overhead during a night photography session on location. Formed by a volcanic glacier which created the river that flows from this "foss" (Icelandic for "waterfall"). The name of this waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, literally means "selling the land waterfall."
Here the amazing Aurora Borealis light show is seen in the night sky above. Iceland is not only known for incredible waterfalls, such as this 197 foot phenom, but also incredible viewing of the Aurora.
Northern Lights and Waterfall photography shot during night session in Southern Iceland.
Stock Image #20180325-200711
Here the amazing Aurora Borealis light show is seen in the night sky above. Iceland is not only known for incredible waterfalls, such as this 197 foot phenom, but also incredible viewing of the Aurora.
Northern Lights and Waterfall photography shot during night session in Southern Iceland.
Stock Image #20180325-200711

The Northern Lights Display Vivid Green Lights Above Trees And MAurora Borealis lights up the night sky - Rays and curtains of colored light paint the horizon above the Smith Creek Dome and Midnight Dome Peaks in the far north region of Alaska known as the Arctic Circle.
Stock Image #20140319-003444
Stock Image #20140319-003444

Aurora Borealis Gleams Over Mountain PeaksRadiating night sky - Intense rays of light radiate through the night sky over the Smith Creek Dome and Midnight Dome Peaks just outside the tiny town of Wiseman, Alaska. The auroral rays line up along the earth's magnetic field, and can be several hundreds of miles long. Most auroras occur in a band known as the auroral zone but can expand to lower latitudes during geomagnetic storms
Stock Image #20140319-002039
Stock Image #20140319-002039

Aurora Borealis Shines Over Wiseman CabinLights over Wiseman - The Aurora Borealis shimmers spectacularly over a home in Wiseman, Alaska, The tiny town, with a population of about 14, was founded by gold miners. The closest major city is Fairbanks, Alaska, which sits about 260 miles south.
Stock Image #20140321-014720
Stock Image #20140321-014720

Circular Shaped Northern Light Forms Over Mountain PeakCelestial circle of light - A wavy circular formation of light appears over the Smith Creek Dome and Midnight Dome Peaks in the far north region of Alaska. The Northern Lights are comprised of blue, green and red light. Other colors, such as pink and purple, can be found in different combinations of altitudes within the auroral curtain.
Stock Image #20140320-020848
Stock Image #20140320-020848

Northern Lights Above The Water In AlaskaThe vast expanse of the Aurora Borealis can be captured by visiting Wiseman, Alaska. The environment allows for beautiful compositions with the northern lights. The nighttime is the perfect time to experience the awe of the Aurora Borealis along with the scenic views Alaska has to offer.
Stock Image #20181009-02133575
Stock Image #20181009-02133575

The Aurora Borealis From Wiseman AlaskaA view of the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights from the Arctic Circle in Wiseman, Alaska. The Aurora Borealis can predominantly been seen from the Arctic or Antarctic regions. Aurora comes from the Latin word for "dawn" because auroras were thought of as the first light of dawn.
Stock Image #20181005-002009
Stock Image #20181005-002009

The Green Glow Of The Aurora BorealisThe Aurora Borealis as seen from the Arctic Circle of Wiseman, Alaska. Auroras occur in the auroral zone which is between 10 and 20 degrees from the geomagnetic poles at all times. The Aurora Borealis can be best seen at night against a dark sky in Arctic or Antarctic areas. But it has been seen in other areas as well.
Stock Image #20181006-004542
Stock Image #20181006-004542

Historic Wiseman Trading Company With Aurora OverheadPhoto of the Wiseman Trading Company in Wiseman, Alaska, a historic log building dating back to 1910. Though it’s now abandoned, the Company served the surrounding mining towns for 40 years until it closed in 1950.
You can’t buy dry goods there anymore, but it’s a great place to snap pictures -- especially on bright nights.
Stock Image #20181009-00165411
You can’t buy dry goods there anymore, but it’s a great place to snap pictures -- especially on bright nights.
Stock Image #20181009-00165411

Aurora Borealis Creates Green And Purple HuesNorthern light display - A vibrant green and violet light show dazzles visitors at Wiseman, Alaska in early spring. Altitude effects the colors with blue violets and reds occurring low in the atmosphere. Bright green colors are strongest between 60-150 miles (100-240 km) above the earth. Ruby reds occur above 150 miles or 240 km.
Stock Image #20140320-005601
Stock Image #20140320-005601

Green Aurora Curtain In Northern AlaskaThe northern lights, or aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the Sun strike gases in Earth’s atmosphere. The color of the aurora depends on which type of gas the particles hit.
Green, the most common northern lights color, comes from ions striking oxygen 60 miles up in the sky.
Stock Image #20181007-23175103
Green, the most common northern lights color, comes from ions striking oxygen 60 miles up in the sky.
Stock Image #20181007-23175103

Northern Lights At Marion Creek In AlaskaThis photo of a stunning aurora borealis was taken at Marion Creek Campground, a Bureau of Land Management site near Wiseman, Alaska.
Wiseman is located along the Dalton Highway. Running from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, the Dalton was originally built to service the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. It’s now a popular destination for aurora-watchers and extreme road trippers.
Stock Image #20181006-01522662
Wiseman is located along the Dalton Highway. Running from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, the Dalton was originally built to service the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. It’s now a popular destination for aurora-watchers and extreme road trippers.
Stock Image #20181006-01522662

The Awe Inspiring Aurora Borealis In Wiseman AlaskaThe magnificent sight of the Aurora Borealis glows above the trees in Wiseman, Alaska. The silhouette of the trees puts the expanse of the night sky in perspective for everyone to see. The lights dance in the sky as darkness falls.
Stock Image #20181006-01570363
Stock Image #20181006-01570363

Waves Of Light Illuminate Night Sky Above MountainsSolar activity lights the night - The sky fills with celestial waves of light above the wilderness of Alaska. Patterns formed by the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, take many forms including curtains, rays, bands and glowing blobs.
Stock Image #20140317-232440
Stock Image #20140317-232440

Northern Lights Dance On Mountain TopsLights dance over mountain tops - The lights of Aurora Borealis appear in the night skies over Alaska. The bright, glittering displays in the sky occur when gaseous particles collide. They are visible on many nights in areas close to the North Pole.
Stock Image #20140321-001817
Stock Image #20140321-001817

Green Aurora Borealis In AlaskaThe Northern Lights are caused by the sun flinging charged particles toward the Earth’s magnetic field at high speeds. A wide variety of factors determines the colors and shapes that appear, especially altitude of the lights and chemical composition of the atmosphere.
Stock Image #20181007-23232357
Stock Image #20181007-23232357

Dancing Northern Lights Glow Green Over Mountain PeaksAn unearthly display - The bright dazzling lights of the Aurora Borealis dance in the night sky above the mountain peaks near Wiseman, Alaska. In the southern latitudes there is a similar phenomenon called the Aurora Australis.
Stock Image #20140317-232252
Stock Image #20140317-232252
Northern Lights was last modified: May 27th, 2022 by