Aurora Expert Captures 3-Hour Light Show in Norway
An 18-year veteran aurora chaser captured nearly three hours of pulsating northern lights, one of the longest displays ever recorded. The February storm revealed rare scientific details visible even to the naked eye.
Tom Kerss thought he'd seen it all after chasing the northern lights for 18 years, but footage from a February voyage off Norway's Arctic coast left him stunned.
The chief aurora chaser for Hurtigruten coastal voyages captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras on February 22, 2026. Most pulsating aurora displays last just 10 to 20 minutes, making this one of the longest on record.
"Even to the naked eye, it was clear something exceptional was happening, with visible pulses and shifting color," Kerss explained. The display flashed pink and green long after midnight, spreading across the entire sky in a rare phenomenon that amazed everyone aboard the MS Trollfjord.
Kerss filmed the display in real time during an intense geomagnetic storm. His Sony camera captured not just the beauty but rare scientific details that researchers find valuable.
Pulsating auroras happen when waves of energy deep within Earth's magnetic tail send bursts of charged particles toward our atmosphere. These "chorus waves" act like a cosmic drumbeat, creating flashes of light that switch on and off across the sky.
Why This Inspires
The footage reveals a subtle detail that shows nature's perfect timing. Pink flashes appear first, followed by green moments later, because nitrogen releases its pinkish glow almost instantly while oxygen takes a fraction longer to produce green light.
This wasn't just luck. Kerss has dedicated nearly two decades to understanding and sharing these celestial displays with others, leading astronomy voyages that help people witness Earth's magnetic field in action.
His patience and expertise mean that this rare event was captured in stunning detail. The footage now offers scientists real insights into how our planet interacts with solar energy.
Hurtigruten continues running northern lights voyages along Norway's Arctic coast, giving more people the chance to witness these dancing lights firsthand. Sometimes the most profound moments come to those who keep looking up.
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Based on reporting by Space.com
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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