{"next":"2026-03-09","photo":{"source":"nasa","date":"2026-03-08","cid":"bafkreiavecjuc5ugd4f2we3qw6ftlwxgxpepx2dsuvq3ul3mqau7eq3wpm","title":"The Aurora Tree","explanation":"Yes, but can your tree do this?  Pictured is a visual coincidence between the dark branches of a nearby tree and bright glow of a distant aurora. The beauty of the aurora -- combined with how it seemed to mimic a tree right nearby -- mesmerized the photographer to such a degree that he momentarily forgot to take pictures. When viewed at the right angle, it seemed that this tree had aurora for leaves. Fortunately, before the aurora morphed into a different overall shape, he came to his senses and captured the awe-inspiring momentary coincidence.  Typically triggered by solar explosions, aurora are caused by high energy electrons impacting the Earth's atmosphere around 150 kilometers up.  The unusual Earth-sky collaboration was witnessed in March of 2017 in Iceland.    Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (after 1995)","imageUrl":"https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2603/AuroraTree_Wallace_2048.jpg","thumbUrl":"https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2603/AuroraTree_Wallace_960.jpg","mediaType":"image","credit":"Alyn Wallace","sourceUrl":"https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260308.html","placeholder":false,"fetchedAt":"2026-05-19T04:34:10Z"},"prev":"2026-03-07","source":"nasa"}