Northern Lights Ribbon Over Alberta

A twisting ribbon of bright green light dominates this view of the dazzling Sept. 9, 2011 northern lights display captured by photographer and skywatcher Don Arsenault in northern Alberta, Canada.

Northern Lights Over Grand Forks

Skywatcher and photographer Zach Williams of Grand Forks, North Dakota, snapped this stunning view of the northern lights display on Sept. 6, 2011 during a strong geomagnetic storm. The stars of the Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major, shine in the dazzling scene. Says Williams: "This was something I've waited my whole life to see!"

Shimmering Auroras Over Northern Alberta

Skywatcher and photographer Don Arsenault snapped this view of the bright northern lights over northern Alberta, Canada on Sept. 9, 2011.

Aurora over Suomi, Minnesota, August 2011

Bob Donner got this aurora shot on August 5, 2011, at Suomi, Minnesota.

Aurora of September 2011 Seen From Space

Astronaut Ron Garan took this photo of the northern lights from the International Space Station. Garan tweeted the photo on Sept. 11, 2011.

Peak Aurora Activity on Sept. 9, 2011, Seen From British Columbia, Canada

Skywatcher Shauna Stanyer captured this shot of the super-charged aurora on Sept. 9, 2011, about one hour north of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Aurora Arcs Over a Serene Lake

A wisp of aurora arcs over a serene lake in this spectacular photo captured by skywatcher and photographer Don Arsenault on Sept. 10, 2011 during a dazzling northern lights display.

August 2011 Aurora and Meteor by Colin Chatfield

Skywatcher and photographer Colin Chatfield snapped this amazing aurora view on Aug. 5, 2011 from just outside Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, using a Canon 40D and Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens. A meteor and eerie blue hue are visible in the upper left.

Aurora of Sept. 9, 2011 Seen From British Columbia

Skywatcher Dan Stanyer set his camera down on the road to take this picture of the aurora on Sept. 9, 2011 near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Aurora over Sebago Lake, Maine, August 2011

John Stetson photographed the aurora over Sebago Lake, Maine, August 5, 2011.

Aurora over Thatcher, Utah, August 2011

Photographer Scott Lowther said, "The auroras were just barely visible to the naked eye here in Utah as a pink glowing dome on the northern horizon. But my camera (a Nikon D5000) was able to make out structure."

Aurora of Sept. 9, 2011 As Seen From Saskatchewan

Colin Chatfield captured this shot of the super-charged aurora on Sept. 9, 2011 from his backyard in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Aurora Outside of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Photographer Robert Berdan said, "One of the first photos I took, the cloud on the right is part of a storm that passed over and is heading toward Calgary. The orange glow is from the lights of Calgary reflecting off the clouds."

Aurora over Lake Superior, August 2011

Photographer Greg Kretovic of Marquette, Michigan (Upper Peninsula) said, "It was amazing seeing them move from the Lake Superior horizon to overhead."

August 2011 Auroras by Colin Chatfield

Skywatcher and photographer Colin Chatfield snapped this amazing aurora view on Aug. 5, 2011 from just outside Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, using a Canon 40D and Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens.

Aurora over Clearwater, Minnesota, August 2011

Photographers Agnieszka and Friedrich Deters said, "With thunderstorms in the area, we had to travel north to find enough clear skies so we could look for the northern lights. The trip paid off! The expression on our faces as we spotted the northern lights for the first time through the clouds was emotional."

Aurora over Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, August 2011

Photographer Lance Taylor caught the aurora at the Cooking Lake Blackfoot area near Edmonton, AB, on August 6, 2011.

Aurora over Whirlpool Lake, Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada, August 2011

Photographer Warren Justice said, ". With clouds ever present the sky glowed with an eerie ghost-like atmosphere."

August 2011 Auroras by Colin Chatfield

Skywatcher and photographer Colin Chatfield snapped this amazing aurora view on Aug. 5, 2011 from just outside Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada, using a Canon 40D and Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens.

Aurora over Glacier National Park, Montana, August 2011

Photographer Ray Stinson caught the aurora at Glacier National Park in Montana on August 5, 2011.

Aurora Near Pulawy, Poland, August 5, 2011

Photographer Kamila Mazurkiewicz captured the aurora near Pulawy, Poland, August 5, 2011.

Aurora, Man, Stones

Sylvain Serre of Ivujivik, Quebec, Canada, captured this aurora shot on September 3, 2011. He commented: "For the first time of the season, there was a clear sky in the Northern village of Ivujivik (the highest point in Quebec)."

Alaska Aurora 2011

Brandon Lovett of Fairbanks, Alaska, got this aurora picture on September 3, 2011.

Northern Minnesota Aurora

Skywatcher Travis Novitsky captured this image of an aurora from Northeast Minnesota, United States, on September 26, 2011,

More of the Northern Minnesota Aurora

Skywatcher Travis Novitsky captured this other image of an aurora from Northeast Minnesota, United States, on September 26, 2011,

Stunning Northern Lights Photos of 2011

Date: 13 September 2011 Time: 02:50 PM ET
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