Last week, professional photographer Dan Zafra set off on an exciting adventure from Nevada to Alaska. He wanted to capture a remarkable celestial event: a total lunar eclipse timed perfectly with the northern lights. Known as the Blood Moon, this eclipse offered a stunning backdrop that Zafra simply couldn’t pass up.
Zafra had planned his trip for the spring equinox, a time when solar activity is usually high. “I usually go during the New Moon for the darkest skies,” he told PetaPixel. “But this rare chance to see both the eclipse and the aurora in one night was too appealing.”
To make the most of the moment, Zafra brought three cameras. One captured close-up shots of the Moon during the eclipse, another wide-angle shots of the landscape, and the third for time-lapse photography. His settings were precise: 20 seconds for the aurora at f/5.6 and ISO 10,000, while his star photos were taken at four seconds with ISO 6,400. For the Moon, he used a quick exposure of just one-fifth of a second with ISO 6,400.
“He was managing three different setups, and it was stressful,” he admitted. Yet, the totality of the eclipse lasted about an hour, giving him ample time to capture every breathtaking moment and fully enjoy the experience.
Zafra, who has witnessed many auroras and lunar eclipses, felt a unique thrill watching them together. He vividly recalls standing on a frozen lake, feeling as the landscape dimmed while the Moon slipped into Earth’s shadow. Simultaneously, the aurora came alive in vibrant shades of green, painting the night sky with captivating patterns.
Once the total eclipse ended, Zafra described the scene returning to life. “It was like someone turned the lights back on,” he said, noting the surreal beauty of the moment.
Bringing these images to life meant some intricate editing back home. For the close-ups, Zafra used software to blend shots artistically, creating a seamless look that captured both the bright Moon and the dimmer aurora. His approach was especially important, given that the brightness difference between the two elements made capturing them in one shot nearly impossible. For the wide-angle shots, the editing was simpler, combining one exposure of the landscape with another that highlighted the aurora.
Zafra’s favorite shot from this trip highlights the eclipsed Moon alongside the aurora. He believes his close-up perspective is unique and adds to the event’s significance. “I’ve seen a few other images from northern Canada and Alaska, but I haven’t found close-ups that capture both the eclipse and the aurora together,” he noted.
The timing of such events is not just a matter of luck. According to the American Astronomical Society, there have only been a handful of occurrences where lunar eclipses coincide with heavy aurora activity. Such combinations draw not only photographers but also enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing how rare these natural displays can be.
Join the growing conversation online as sky watchers share their experiences and photos on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, creating a lively community eager for the next cosmic event. With more people getting involved in astrophotography, the excitement surrounding these celestial moments is sure to continue expanding.
For more stunning images from Zafra, you can visit his website, Capture the Atlas, and explore the breathtaking beauty of nature through his lens.
Explore more about lunar eclipses and auroras at NASA or the American Astronomical Society.
All photos are credited to Dan Zafra.
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