Exactly one year ago today (as I type this), some buddies of mine in a group chat on Twitter were talking about something amazing in the skies that night. No, not a once-in-a-lifetime comet or a lunar eclipse or a supernova; earlier that week, there was intense solar activity, resulting in Kp 6 strength Aurora Borealis potential!
Now, if you know me, you know that I live in the middle of a small city in New York, where we don't usually get any Northern Lights at all. However, I took a quick look at the projected maps of activity for that night, and my area was well within the range! I packed up my night photography gear, and raced up to a park by the lake that would have the clearest northward view. When I pulled into the parking lot, there were hundreds of other stargazers with the same plan!
No worries, there was plenty of space (pun intended). I set up my tripod, and though it was cloudy at first, eventually the skies cleared up and I was treated to my FIRST ever viewing of the Aurora Borealis with my own eyes! I could see the hazy green glow, the towering pillars and spikes, and occasionally these north-to-south subtle surges of energy, high above my head. It was one of the first truly *new* things I've experienced in my forty years on this planet.
I swore, in that moment, that I'd always be hunting another chance to see this beautiful natural phenomenon, and I was incredibly thankful that I got to see it for the first time a mere ten minutes from home.
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**Artist:** Steve Walasavage
**Series:** This And That
**Collection:** Non-Fungible Travels
**Edition:** 1/1 NFT
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*"Non-Fungible Travels"* is a collection of photographs taken all over the world during my travels over the years. Each one is a specific moment in time and piece of my soul, and none of them are repeatable or interchangeable.
All images in this collection are ERC-721 tokens minted on the [Non-Fungible Travels](https://etherscan.io/address/0x8c4cc45E2839F2F35ad10B985062d63E963cB46f) custom smart contract.
Extended Editorial License: Can be used to display privately, or in commercial and non-commercial settings, or in groups with an unlimited number of participants. The License includes unlimited use and display in virtual or physical galleries, documentaries, and essays by the NFT holder. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works.
