The thin reddish airglow radiated above the horizon 300km up in our thermosphere late on a winters night. This phenomenon is created by excited electrically charged oxygen and hydrogen atoms and molecules, vibrating from the energy of our sun.

I was up in the highlands of NSW where the air is crisp with perfect viewing conditions of the night sky. I arrived early when the Milky Way core was below the horizon watching the airglow flow throughout the night, dancing with exotic movements creating patterns in the sky. When the Milky Way was in it's position to frame this image, 25° above horizon, the airglow had expanded reaching new heights in the sky. It was a beauftul scene to enjoy with the water reflecting the starlight.

The red tones of the airglow compliment the dense ionized hydrogen of the Milky Way perfectly, bridging the display in our thermosphere with the colours of the night sky.

Dimensions 7801px by 5201px