Plasma Phoenix over Iceland
The mythical bird that dies and is reborn (known as the Bennu to the Ancient Egyptians and Phoenix to the Greeks) seems to have put in an appearance over the protruding bit of the mid Atlantic spreading ridge, where Europe and America are consummating their separation. The photographer lingered a little later than the others, and was treated to a minute long final spread of charged plasma particles in the upper atmosphere and beyond (excited by the incoming solar wind) that took on the shape of the fire born bird.
Loz
Image credit: Hallgrimur P. Helgason via APOD.
