A photographer in New Zealand has captured a potentially unprecedented image featuring elusive red sprites, the Milky Way's galactic core, and the aurora australis in a single frame. The photograph, taken by Dan Zafra of the website Capture the Atlas, documents the rare atmospheric phenomena over the country's Southern Alps.
Key Takeaways
- Photographer Dan Zafra captured red sprites, the Milky Way, and the aurora australis in one image on October 11, 2025.
- The image was taken from the Clay Cliffs on New Zealand's South Island.
- Red sprites are large-scale electrical discharges that occur high above thunderstorms and are rarely seen or photographed.
- This may be the first time red sprites have been documented in the same frame as the Southern Hemisphere's Milky Way.
An Unexpected Celestial Event
While photographing the night sky from the Clay Cliffs on New Zealand's South Island, Dan Zafra observed faint flashes on the horizon. The flashes originated from a distant thunderstorm developing over the Southern Alps.
Initially, Zafra believed he was seeing standard lightning. However, after taking several test shots, he identified the distinct red glow of sprites in his images. "At first, they looked like normal lightning, but after a few test shots, I realized my camera was capturing red sprites," Zafra explained.
The event became even more significant as the sprites aligned perfectly with the galactic core of the Milky Way, creating a rare compositional opportunity. A faint green glow from the aurora australis, or Southern Lights, was also visible in the bottom left of the frame.
A Moment of Perfect Alignment
The convergence of three distinct celestial and atmospheric events—red sprites, the Milky Way's core, and an aurora—is exceptionally rare. Capturing them all in a single, well-composed photograph requires a combination of precise timing, favorable weather conditions, and astronomical positioning.
Understanding Red Sprites
Red sprites are a transient luminous event, a form of large-scale electrical discharge that occurs high above active thunderstorms. They are not lightning in the traditional sense but are triggered by powerful positive lightning strikes between the thundercloud and the ground.
These discharges extend upwards into the ionosphere, reaching altitudes of up to 90 kilometers (approximately 56 miles). Their appearance is fleeting, lasting only a few milliseconds, which makes them nearly impossible to see with the naked eye.
"They’re almost impossible to see with the naked eye and last just a few milliseconds. Even storm chasers who spend their lives chasing lightning... can go years without witnessing one."
Facts About Red Sprites
- First Photographed: 1989
- Altitude: 50 to 90 kilometers (31 to 56 miles)
- Duration: A few thousandths of a second
- Cause: Positive lightning discharges from powerful thunderstorms
Because of their brief duration and high altitude, photographing sprites requires specific conditions, including a clear view of a distant, powerful thunderstorm, extremely dark skies, and a sensitive camera. Zafra noted the difficulty, stating that many dedicated storm chasers have never seen one.
The Technical Details of the Photograph
To create the final image, Zafra employed a technique known as image blending. This method allows for optimal detail in both the foreground and the sky, which require different camera settings.
He used a Sony a7 III camera paired with a Sony GM 24mm f/1.4 lens, a popular combination for astrophotography due to its low-light performance.
Exposure Settings
- The Foreground: A two-minute exposure was used to capture the details of the Clay Cliffs landscape.
- The Sky: A much shorter 10-second exposure was used to capture the stars and the transient sprites without motion blur.
These two images were then digitally combined to produce the final photograph. Zafra also compiled his shots into a timelapse video, which illustrates the sudden and powerful nature of the sprites as they flash across the sky in real-time.
A Unique Astronomical Composition
Zafra believes his photograph may be a landmark achievement in astrophotography. "To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time red sprites have ever been documented together with the Southern Hemisphere Milky Way," he stated.
The image highlights the dynamic relationship between Earth's atmospheric weather and the vast cosmic structures beyond. The alignment of a momentary electrical burst with the timeless view of our galaxy's core is what makes the photograph so compelling.
"It was one of those moments when you know you’re witnessing something you’ll probably never see again," Zafra reflected. "It’s moments like these that remind me why I spend so many nights under the stars."
This is not the first time Zafra's work has been recognized. Earlier in the year, he successfully photographed a lunar eclipse in conjunction with aurora lights, further establishing his skill in capturing rare celestial alignments.