A Celestial Spectacle: Milky Way and Aurora Australis from Southland, New Zealand

Last night, the skies over Southland, New Zealand, offered a truly unforgettable display as the majestic Milky Way met the vibrant hues of the Aurora Australis. Captured in the early hours of the morning, this image represents a fleeting moment of cosmic artistry.

Despite a night of mixed skies, the photographer managed to seize a clear window to document this incredible phenomenon. The result is a stunning panorama showcasing the luminous band of our galaxy stretching across the sky, interwoven with the ethereal glow of the Southern Lights.

This remarkable photograph is a composite of nine individual shots, meticulously taken to create this breathtaking scene. The equipment used included a Sony A7 iii camera paired with a Viltrox 16mm lens. Each exposure was set at ISO 2000 with an aperture of f1.8 and a duration of 13 inches, allowing for the capture of faint starlight and the subtle nuances of the aurora.

For those who wish to explore more of this astrophotographer's captivating work, you can find their portfolio at .

It's moments like these that remind us of the sheer beauty and wonder that exists beyond our everyday lives, waiting to be discovered in the vast expanse of the universe.