A Celestial Spectacle: Rare red sprites meet Milky Way, aurora and comet unite in one mesmerising shot

A celestial spectacle unfolded over New Zealand, where photographer Dan Zafra captured an image that feels almost unreal. The sky lit up with red sprites, the Milky Way, the Aurora Australis, and even a distant comet, all appearing in a single breathtaking frame.

What did the photographer witness?
Zafra, who runs the photography and travel blog Capture the Atlas, was on a photography tour when the rare event occurred. He returned to the Clay Cliffs, a site he had scouted years earlier, hoping for clear skies despite cloudy forecasts. His patience paid off as the night revealed a once-in-a-lifetime display. Red sprites, fleeting bursts of electrical energy that occur high above thunderstorms, illuminated the horizon in perfect harmony with the stars.

(Image: Tom Rae Photography)

How rare is this phenomenon?
Red sprites themselves are rarely seen, let alone photographed with other celestial wonders. Zafra’s image shows the sprites glowing near the setting Milky Way, while the faint Aurora Australis painted the southern sky. Upon closer inspection, Comet SWAN appeared as a tiny green speck near the horizon. “What made that night unforgettable wasn’t just the sprites,” Zafra said. “They were dancing beside the Milky Way, while a soft aurora shimmered below.”