Aurora Captured Over Iceland's Skógafoss Waterfall Featured by NASA
Nasa's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for August 27, 2026, showcases a vivid image of auroras over the Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland, captured by photographer Victor Lima. The photograph, taken in April 2025, highlights the natural spectacle of colorful auroras appearing to 'rain' over the icy landscape.
The image was captured in a single 5-second exposure, emphasizing the dynamic interaction of light and landscape. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the solar wind collide with Earth's atmospheric gases, resulting in the emission of light. The colors seen in auroras are determined by the type of gas involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur. Oxygen produces red and green hues, while nitrogen results in blue and pink tones.
Auroras are more frequently observed in high-latitude regions, such as the Arctic, due to the proximity of landmasses compared to the Antarctic. The image's inclusion in APOD underscores the unique conditions required for aurora visibility, including high solar activity and clear, dark skies.
The APOD content is produced by NASA’s Astrophysics Science Division at the Goddard Space Flight Center, in collaboration with NASA Science Activation and Michigan Tech University. The page was last updated on August 26, 2026.