The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south..

As much as the fabulous scenery of the last week screamed for a $1,000 camera and tripod, the northern lights all but mandated such gear to do them justice..  these are a bit grainy, but will have to serve the purpose..