Northern Lights

Truly northern lights here - vivid light pillars aim high into the night (to Taurus at very top of the picture) and two bright planets late in the last night of year 2000. These are often confused with phase III (rayed) aurora from a distance, but are appropriately titled, being seen in northern cities where winter is often hostile, and from city / artificial lights. Thus, "northern lights," even though these were to my southwest, with the picture taken just outside the front door of the house. I have another picture of these early in my gallery, but this is how spectacular they can be with no Moon in the sky.