This photo of an unusual spiral-shaped aurora was shot from a hillside about 1,400 feet above Chena Hot Springs Resort northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. To reach the summit one needs to take the "Snow Cat"―an odd looking tractor-like vehicle that could navigate the snowy landscape up to the top.  It was a bone jarring ride of about 22 minutes; I think all the fillings in my teeth rattled loose!  But once at the top, there was a comfortable warming yurt and some magnificent scenery―AND a wonderfully clear and starry sky.  And then the northern lights began... and what a spectacular show it was!  For more than an hour this beautiful display danced magically across the sky and lit the entire region with its other-worldly light.

●   Date/Time:   March 22, 2011 / 10:18 p.m. AST
●   Photo Details:   Nikon D700, AF-S Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm, ISO 2000, 5 sec. at f/3.2
●   Processing Details:   CaptureOne 5.2.3, Nik Dfine 2.1, Photoshop CS2
●   Location:   Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, USA