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Michael Greenhill

Astrophotography

Various photos taken across Australia focusing on capturing Aurora Australis.

Like a lot of Victorians I was up late capturing the strongest solar storm in years. After keeping watch on the Glendale app through the evening I jumped in the car and headed for Gembrook, where I was stoked to find the location all to myself. As this is one of the last remaining unprotected (no boom gates) level crossings at Puffing Billy Railway, the silhouette of the railway crossing sign was the theme of the night. When this crossing is inevitably upgraded with lights and boom barriers a piece of the railway's character will be lost forever.

Give way

Like a lot of Victorians I was up late capturing the strongest solar storm in years. After keeping watch on the Glendale app through the evening I jumped in the car and headed for Gembrook, where I was stoked to find the location all to myself. As this is one of the last remaining unprotected (no boom gates) level crossings at Puffing Billy Railway, the silhouette of the railway crossing sign was the theme of the night. When this crossing is inevitably upgraded with lights and boom barriers a piece of the railway's character will be lost forever.

  • January 20, 2026
  • ƒ4.0
  • 29mm
  • 5
  • 2500
  • Off, did not fire
  • Gembrook, Victoria
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Welcoming in 2025 with an aurora over Tasmania's east coast.

New Year's Day Aurora I

Welcoming in 2025 with an aurora over Tasmania's east coast.

  • January 2, 2025
  • ƒ1.8
  • 35mm
  • 4/5
  • 10000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Rocky Hills, Tasmania
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Welcoming in 2025 with an aurora over Tasmania's east coast.

New Year's Day Aurora II

Welcoming in 2025 with an aurora over Tasmania's east coast.

  • January 2, 2025
  • ƒ2.0
  • 35mm
  • 1
  • 8000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Rocky Hills, Tasmania
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
A kaleidoscope of colours lights up the sky above Gembrook during the most intense solar storm to hit Earth in 20 years.

Columnal

A kaleidoscope of colours lights up the sky above Gembrook during the most intense solar storm to hit Earth in 20 years.

  • May 11, 2024
  • ƒ1.8
  • 35mm
  • 1/5
  • 8000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Gembrook, Victoria
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Standing on the railway embankment near the Gembrook football ground, one of the locals is silhouetted against the aurora-filled sky.

Capture

Standing on the railway embankment near the Gembrook football ground, one of the locals is silhouetted against the aurora-filled sky.

  • May 11, 2024
  • ƒ1.8
  • 35mm
  • 3/10
  • 8000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Gembrook, Victoria
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Blues, greens, pinks, and reds fill the sky over Gembrook.

Glow

Blues, greens, pinks, and reds fill the sky over Gembrook.

  • May 11, 2024
  • ƒ4.0
  • 24mm
  • 4
  • 3200
  • Off, did not fire
  • Gembrook, Victoria
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Puffing Billy's Bridge 10, better known as "Farm Bridge", creates a window to the sky as Aurora Australis dances overhead.

Window

Puffing Billy's Bridge 10, better known as "Farm Bridge", creates a window to the sky as Aurora Australis dances overhead.

  • May 11, 2024
  • ƒ4.0
  • 24mm
  • 4
  • 4000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Gembrook, Victoria
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
A Boxing Day treat! Strong solar weather on Boxing Day 2022 generated a strong Aurora Australis, visible as far north as the Murray River. Down in Tasmania however, we got an extra treat: space junk burning up on re-entry over a strong bioluminescence event. Captured at Seven Mile Beach, the red beacon on the hill is a marker for Hobart Airport, out of frame behind me.

Space Junk

A Boxing Day treat! Strong solar weather on Boxing Day 2022 generated a strong Aurora Australis, visible as far north as the Murray River. Down in Tasmania however, we got an extra treat: space junk burning up on re-entry over a strong bioluminescence event. Captured at Seven Mile Beach, the red beacon on the hill is a marker for Hobart Airport, out of frame behind me.

  • December 26, 2022
  • ƒ4.0
  • 24mm
  • 13
  • 4000
  • Off, did not fire
  • Hobart, Tasmania
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
As an aircraft approaches Hobart International Airport one of the year's most intense auroral displays paints the sky green and pink, the effects so strong they could be seen with the naked eye.

Landing approach

As an aircraft approaches Hobart International Airport one of the year's most intense auroral displays paints the sky green and pink, the effects so strong they could be seen with the naked eye.

  • December 20, 2015
  • ƒ4.0
  • 24mm
  • 13
  • 2000
  • Fired
  • Hobart, Tasmania
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Aurora Australis lights up the night sky over the South Arm, as viewed from Seven Mile Beach. The night of my arrival at Hobart heralded one of the most intense auroral events of the year.

Glowing Sky

Aurora Australis lights up the night sky over the South Arm, as viewed from Seven Mile Beach. The night of my arrival at Hobart heralded one of the most intense auroral events of the year.

  • December 20, 2015
  • ƒ4.0
  • 24mm
  • 13
  • 2000
  • Fired
  • Hobart, Tasmania
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

All images are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.

©  Michael Greenhill

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