The Arctic Ocean (Barents Sea), Norway

“Awe-inspiring, magical, breathtaking, spellbinding, mesmerising”, these are a few of the words used to describe the Aurora Borealis or – as they are more commonly called – the Northern Lights.

In fact, no amount of words or, indeed, images could ever do real justice to the Aurora. It is, to my mind, one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular natural phenomena – if not the most spectacular – and it’s hardly surprising that it’s on so many people’s ‘wish-list’.

In a few weeks time I shall once again be heading off into the Arctic wilderness in search of clear skies and, conditions permitting, the Northern Lights. I shall be accompanied on this particular adventure by the picture editor of the Times newspaper, Paul Sanders.

Paul and I met up for the first time at a recent Light & Land meeting (‘Discovery Day’) and we ‘hit it off’, so to speak. Paul approached me a week or so later and asked me if he could join me on an Aurora hunting expedition. Needless to say, I said that it would be a pleasure. As you may imagine, we’re both really looking forward to the trip and, rest assured, we shall be posting images and stories on the blog whilst on location – so watch this space!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Outdoor Kit, Canon UK, Lyon Work & Rescue, Europcar and Rohan for very kindly lending their support to the February expedition – which is greatly appreciated!

PS Don’t forget to check out the new Aurorahunters web site. Click here >>

The awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Photography by Andy Keen.

Astro-scientists speculate that the object that I photographed whilst on a recent Aurora hunting expedition in Northern Lapland was either a bolide, or possibly a high altitude weather balloon. Whatever it was, it was certainly an amazing sight to witness with the naked eye.

The IAU has no official definition of “bolide”, and generally considers the term synonymous with “fireball”. The bolide term is generally used for fireballs reaching magnitude -14 or brighter. Astronomers tend to use the term to mean an exceptionally bright fireball, particularly one that explodes (sometimes called a detonating fireball). Source: Wikipedia.

Self Portrait. It was -31 degrees C when this particular shot was taken, and I was stood in the middle of a frozen river. It was a fantastic experience, and one that will live with me for a lifetime.

These beautiful dogs belong to Tinja. She has 25 adult dogs in total, and they’re all absolutely gorgeous.

A beautiful Finnish river.