Astronomy Picture of the Day · January 3, 2024

A SAR Arc from New Zealand

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 3, 2024 is “A SAR Arc from New Zealand,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Tristian McDonald ; Text: Tiffany Lewis ( Michigan Tech U. )). The original explanation runs about 187 words.

A flat landscape with a pond is imaged at night below a starfield. A multicolored aurora is seen in an arc across the image center. Around this arc is another red arc that is particularly smooth. Please see the explanation for more detailed — Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Tristian McDonald ; Text: Tiffany Lewis ( Michigan Tech U. ) Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“What is that unusual red halo surrounding this aurora? It is a Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arc.”

— APOD editors, January 3, 2024

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: January 3, 2024
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Tristian McDonald ; Text: Tiffany Lewis ( Michigan Tech U. )
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 187 words