Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2026 March 8
    [2]A leafless tree is pictured below a starry sky. In the sky behind
    the tree is an aurora glowing mostly green but with some purple. The
    shape of the aurora seems to follow the branches of the tree. Please
             see the explanation for more detailed information.

                               The Aurora Tree
                  Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Alyn Wallace

   Explanation: Yes, but can your tree do this? [4]Pictured is a visual
   coincidence between the dark branches of a nearby tree and bright glow
   of a distant aurora. The beauty of the [5]aurora -- combined with how
   it seemed to mimic a [6]tree right nearby -- mesmerized the
   photographer to such a degree that he momentarily forgot to take
   pictures. When viewed at the [7]right angle, it seemed that this tree
   had aurora for leaves. Fortunately, before the aurora morphed into a
   [8]different [9]overall [10]shape, he came to his senses and captured
   the awe-inspiring [11]momentary coincidence. Typically triggered by
   [12]solar explosions, aurora are caused by high energy [13]electrons
   impacting the [14]Earth's atmosphere around 150 kilometers up. The
   unusual Earth-sky collaboration was witnessed in March of 2017 in
   [15]Iceland.

      Sky Surprise: [16]What picture did APOD feature on your birthday?
                                (after 1995)
                       Tomorrow's picture: big brained
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [28]Robert Nemiroff ([29]MTU) & [30]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([31]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [32]Specific rights apply.
            [33]NASA Web Privacy, [34]Accessibility, [35]Notices;
                A service of: [36]ASD at [37]NASA / [38]GSFC,
                         [39]NASA Science Activation
                           & [40]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2603/AuroraTree_Wallace_2048.jpg
   3. https://www.instagram.com/alynwallace/
   4. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5qaz2nRg6/
   5. https://science.nasa.gov/sun/auroras/
   6. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150525.html
   7. https://www.mathsisfun.com/rightangle.html
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap161031.html
   9. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap161023.html
  10. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap190218.html
  11. https://blogmais.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/imagem_ht_07-04-23.jpg
  12. https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/CMEs.shtml
  13. http://history.aip.org/exhibits/electron/jjelectr.htm
  14. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-atmosphere/earths-atmosphere-a-multi-layered-cake/
  15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland
  16. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  17. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260307.html
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  21. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  23. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  26. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260308
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260309.html
  28. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  29. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  30. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  31. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  32. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  33. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  36. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  39. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  40. http://www.mtu.edu/