The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are quite the sight to behold.

Seeing this phenomenon has definitely been on my bucket list for years, and not just because this display is said to be breathtakingly beautiful, but also because of its cultural significance. A portion of Inuits believe they can see their ancestors’ spirits dancing within the Aurora Borealis, while some Norse texts reflect the belief that it is a fire-bridge between heaven and earth, built by the Gods. Given the Aurora’s mystery and beauty, it’s no surprise to me that I’m not alone in wanting to witness it.

Scotland resident Maciej Winiarczyk got a pleasant surprise when he managed to catch an unexpected Aurora Borealis light show while creating a time lapse of the Milky Way. Winiarczyk is known for capturing the night-time sky, but he was totally caught off guard by this event, especially since he’s been trying to capture these northern lights for the last three years.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE AURORA BOREALIS FORMS BY READING THIS ARTICLE.