{"id":272287,"date":"2025-11-19T21:04:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T21:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/272287\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T21:04:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T21:04:14","slug":"pilot-captures-jaw-dropping-northern-lights-show-from-36000-feet-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/272287\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot captures jaw-dropping northern lights show from 36,000 feet (photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, skywatchers across North America were treated to an extraordinary northern lights display, but airline pilot and photographer Matt Melnyk may have had the best view of all.<\/p>\n

Cruising at 36,000 feet (11 km) during a flight from London to Calgary, Melnyk photographed the vivid aurora <\/a>show on Nov. 12 from the cockpit of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.<\/p>\n

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“It was a pretty special night, that’s for sure!” Melnyk told Space.com in an email.<\/p>\n

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Melnyk is no stranger to flying alongside the northern lights. “This time of the year, I get to see aurora 90% of the time on my flights across Europe,” Melynk said. “But this particular flight was special because a severe solar storm was in progress.”<\/p>\n

Matt Melnyk<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/a>Pilot & photographer<\/p>\n

Matt Melnyk is an airline pilot and avid aurora chaser who regularly enjoys northern lights shows while cruising at 36,000 feet.<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 3<\/p>\n

\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. Earth’s atmosphere is visible in the distance.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. Earth’s atmosphere is visible in the distance.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. Earth’s atmosphere is visible in the distance.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)<\/p>\n

On Nov. 11-12, a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the northern hemisphere<\/a> with vibrant auroras sweeping over Canada, the U.S. and even as far south as Mexico. The dazzling display followed the arrival of multiple coronal mass ejections<\/a> (CMEs) \u2014 bursts of magnetic field and plasma from the sun<\/a> \u2014 launched by sunspot AR4274, one of the most energetic sunspot<\/a> groups of the current solar cycle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It’s rare to be flying at the exact time a major solar storm is happening, so I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to witness this event,” Melnyk told Space.com.<\/p>\n

To capture the scene, Melnyk used a Canon R6 Mark II<\/a> paired with a Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM lens.<\/p>\n

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Image 1 of 3<\/p>\n

\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. City lights are visible below.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. City lights are visible below.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)\"curtainsNorthern lights captured from 36,000 feet. City lights are visible below.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)<\/p>\n

“These photos were not that tricky to obtain thanks to new camera technology that allows me to get these photos handheld. The combination of a fast lens and a high-performing low-light camera makes it very simple.” Melnyk said.<\/p>\n

Just this week, Melnyk captured another dynamic display during a Nov. 17 flight from Calgary to London, photographing the northern lights as he flew over northeastern Alberta and north of Hudson Bay.<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n

\"insideMelnyk’s view from the Dreamliner cockpit. (Image credit: Matt Melnyk)\"RibbonsNorthern lights captured during a flight over northeastern Canada.(Image credit: Matt Melnyk)<\/p>\n

Inspired to get out and capture amazing astrophotos for yourself? Our best cameras for astrophotography<\/a> and best lenses for astrophotography<\/a> can help you get ready to capture the next stunning skywatching event.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: If you snap an astrophoto and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com. <\/p>\n

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Today’s best Canon EOS R6 Mark II deals<\/p>\n