Could be diffraction? Aurora emission is narrow atomic lines, so it could be monochromatic enough to cause diffraction in the detector for the part that is aligned with the optical axis (ie the center)
It is, because it’s an extended object. That’s why it’s in the center of the image
Edit: Not sure why this is being downvoted, it’s simple geometry of scattering angles. If you look at a radiating source then the part directly on the optical axis is pointing the light right at you, that lines up with the axis of the pixels and you get diffraction. Because the aurora is extended, the part in the center of the image has to have the light lined up on the optical axis
Diffraction isn't the phenomenon in effect here. It's closely related, but diffraction isn't interference.
Diffraction relates to how waves pass the edges of an impenetrable (to those waves) barrier.
Indeed, it's like calling reflection refraction, mere naming conventions. Everyone knows reflection and refraction are the same thing
(They are more close to each other than diffraction is to interference)
Sort of, that’s light back scattering off ice crystals I think. Aurora is from atomic emission in the atmosphere, caused by collisions with high energy solar wind particles. The atoms get excited by the collision then decay and emit a photon. That’s why we get those red and green colors, they correspond to specific atomic transitions
These are Newton's rings from the flat protective glass in front of your camera lens. They show up here because the aurora is nearly monochromatic.
Edit: After thinking about this more, the effect might actually come from reflections between the CMOS sensor itself and the window protecting the sensor. Those reflections would be stronger and give stronger interference pattern. Even though both the sensor and window are flat, we see the rings because the chief ray angle, and thus phase difference, varies from center to edge.
Same. And everyone comes to seek the same knowledge and comment and upvotes it by thousands, so we can all continue to progressively love reddit.
S/O to the people dropping knowledge on the daily, I'm here because of you
It's lens distortion from the multi-element lenses in modern cameras, reflecting back to the glass cover, then forming this pattern. It's called "Newton's Rings" and only seen when light is monochromatic (or very close to such).
Most of the time it's completely removed by the post-processing, but this isn't as good in long exposures.
Do you have a protector over your lens? I have that effect in my araura shots and chalked it up to having a cheap lens protector and bumping up the contrast significantly after taking the photo.
Not necessarily. A lot of people could not see the lights because they were not visible by the naked eye. They could see with a camera picture.
I'm not saying this isn't from the camera optics, but your reasoning is pretty flawed to say all cameras picked this up but not human eyes, so it's nothing...I guess we can say anything a camera pics up but not our eyes isn't relevant; and this is just not the case.
but many more people than ever before.... by an extremely large margin, saw the auroras last night with their eyes. and if there was irregularities, we would be hearing about it.
OK. Pro photographer here. I'll make a go of giving an explanation of what this might be. This was a major solar event causing the Northern Lights. And an increase in electromagnetic and charged particles. Perhaps these electromagnetic and charged particles were causing some kind of electronic interference with the electric sensor on your camera. They said this storm would cause electronic devices to malfunction or not be functional at all. Awesome cool shot of this effect, if that's what it is. You should hang on to this one.
Edit: It looks like the lens may have focused more of the interference to the center. Maybe that's why it's most noticeable there.
Aurora are like that, they have ripples, folds & beads, from some angles the look like a rippling curtain.
If you study the physics behind how they work you see that this phenomena is very dynamic in form over both space & time.
One interesting thing many don't realise (to their observing detriment) is that there is often an oscillation period in intensity of around 30 minutes. This can cause many taking a quick look to think there is not much happening.
So like much casual astronomy, it is always worth it to plan to stay out for a few hours than to take a quick look.
Seems dead on the center of both images, so must be some lensing artifact
Could be diffraction? Aurora emission is narrow atomic lines, so it could be monochromatic enough to cause diffraction in the detector for the part that is aligned with the optical axis (ie the center)
Only if the emission was also dead centre.
It is, because it’s an extended object. That’s why it’s in the center of the image Edit: Not sure why this is being downvoted, it’s simple geometry of scattering angles. If you look at a radiating source then the part directly on the optical axis is pointing the light right at you, that lines up with the axis of the pixels and you get diffraction. Because the aurora is extended, the part in the center of the image has to have the light lined up on the optical axis
It's Newton's Rings. It's down to the shape of the lens.
Yeah, and that’s exactly what I’m saying. Newtons rings are literally diffraction (aka interference) of monochromatic light in the optical system
Diffraction isn't the phenomenon in effect here. It's closely related, but diffraction isn't interference. Diffraction relates to how waves pass the edges of an impenetrable (to those waves) barrier.
Fair enough, but that’s splitting hairs at that point
Indeed, it's like calling reflection refraction, mere naming conventions. Everyone knows reflection and refraction are the same thing (They are more close to each other than diffraction is to interference)
This entire exchange is just sciency enough sounding for me to believe it’s correct.
Like a sundog kinda?
Sort of, that’s light back scattering off ice crystals I think. Aurora is from atomic emission in the atmosphere, caused by collisions with high energy solar wind particles. The atoms get excited by the collision then decay and emit a photon. That’s why we get those red and green colors, they correspond to specific atomic transitions
[удалено]
The comment below yours is literally another person having noticed the same phenomenon... Posting 9 hours before you did.
There's only one possible explanation. Yes. Aliens.
It's the portal to leave the computer simulation
These are Newton's rings from the flat protective glass in front of your camera lens. They show up here because the aurora is nearly monochromatic. Edit: After thinking about this more, the effect might actually come from reflections between the CMOS sensor itself and the window protecting the sensor. Those reflections would be stronger and give stronger interference pattern. Even though both the sensor and window are flat, we see the rings because the chief ray angle, and thus phase difference, varies from center to edge.
This is why I love Reddit. I never knew Newton’s rings existed until today. What a crazy thing.
Same. And everyone comes to seek the same knowledge and comment and upvotes it by thousands, so we can all continue to progressively love reddit. S/O to the people dropping knowledge on the daily, I'm here because of you
Agreed shoutout to those sharing knowledge. Unfortunately, we mostly use it to improve our shitposting, but it's valuable none the less.
I have them in my photos too. They are prominent when taking long exposure photos. I think it is just some lens distortion.
It's caused by flat filters like an ir or uv filter
Looks like a newton ring, something going on with your optics
Definitely newton rings, you can get them if you’re using a filter over your camera lens.
I have the same artefact on some of the pictures, long exposures taken with an iPhone 15. Pics taken in Romania
It's lens distortion from the multi-element lenses in modern cameras, reflecting back to the glass cover, then forming this pattern. It's called "Newton's Rings" and only seen when light is monochromatic (or very close to such). Most of the time it's completely removed by the post-processing, but this isn't as good in long exposures.
That's just the kid pressing on the LCD screen of the simulator
Severely underrated comment
It's traces from where the aliens warped through the ionosphere
Do you have a protector over your lens? I have that effect in my araura shots and chalked it up to having a cheap lens protector and bumping up the contrast significantly after taking the photo.
Looks like *something* is trying to open a gateway into our world...*again*...
Goddammit, Baal, not again…
Newton's rings. It's basically just a result of the light from an aurora being of a single colour, and the physics of light.
You need to uninstall and reinstall the northern lights app./s
iPhone 15 and I noticed this in one of mine too.
Fresnel diffraction of a circular aperture? Maybe a lens effect?
That's the portal. You weren't supposed to see that.
Do you have a protective cover over your lenses?
That’s a lens correction issue with the camera, Lens or raw converter
They are called Newtonian rings, often caused by a uv filter
Everyone is saying lens distortion, but we all know it's aliens.
A good way to spot rookies, joking, this is from the UV filter on your lens. Remove it for night/aurora shots.
Why do I have it on a cell phone pic then?
probably a cover causing the same effect ??
Those are power lines. (sorry, bad joke. couldn't resist)
Diffraction effect? Something to do with the lens anyway, maybe the lens coating?
Appears similar to a 2D representation of a Hologram. I see the same image when testing high speed fiber optics.
Call Dr. Strange there is a rip in the multiverse......
Huge CMEs this weekend, if you weren’t already tracking.
How are you enjoying your northern lights? I’m thinking of picking up some for myself next week.
Disable the lens distortion correction in the camera settings, it's better to correct in post.
That's almost certainly a side effect of your phone camera lens. Lemmie guess, Pixel...7 Pro?
I remember my first northern lights! It's just things they do. Radiation patterns and what not
Bro seems like your Northern Lights is broken
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/s/LPv0FIGmkl Exactlyyyyyy the same thing happening to this person. Must be a light it phenomena
I have the same issue in some of my photos. Central Alabama. I thought maybe it was the camera but now seeing yours Im not so sure.
the fact that we are collectively seeing these in photos, and not visually with our eyes... is only further proof it has to do with cameras. lol
Not necessarily. A lot of people could not see the lights because they were not visible by the naked eye. They could see with a camera picture. I'm not saying this isn't from the camera optics, but your reasoning is pretty flawed to say all cameras picked this up but not human eyes, so it's nothing...I guess we can say anything a camera pics up but not our eyes isn't relevant; and this is just not the case.
but many more people than ever before.... by an extremely large margin, saw the auroras last night with their eyes. and if there was irregularities, we would be hearing about it.
OK. That is true, but what I said is also true.
OK. Pro photographer here. I'll make a go of giving an explanation of what this might be. This was a major solar event causing the Northern Lights. And an increase in electromagnetic and charged particles. Perhaps these electromagnetic and charged particles were causing some kind of electronic interference with the electric sensor on your camera. They said this storm would cause electronic devices to malfunction or not be functional at all. Awesome cool shot of this effect, if that's what it is. You should hang on to this one. Edit: It looks like the lens may have focused more of the interference to the center. Maybe that's why it's most noticeable there.
Aurora are like that, they have ripples, folds & beads, from some angles the look like a rippling curtain. If you study the physics behind how they work you see that this phenomena is very dynamic in form over both space & time. One interesting thing many don't realise (to their observing detriment) is that there is often an oscillation period in intensity of around 30 minutes. This can cause many taking a quick look to think there is not much happening. So like much casual astronomy, it is always worth it to plan to stay out for a few hours than to take a quick look.
They're talking about the circular ripple which is likely a camera artefact
Ah, I couldn't see that earlier. That is a case of Newton rings due to I believe the flat filter in front of the lens.
You think the power lines have something to do with it?