Valentine’s Day Magic: Northern Lights Appear in Heart Shape Over Norway

Just days before Valentine’s Day, a stunning image of the Northern Lights forming a clear heart shape has taken social media by storm. The rare moment was captured in Norway by photographer Kristoffer Vangen and features the vivid green hues of the Aurora Borealis shining brightly against a crystal-clear night sky.

The photograph quickly went viral, drawing admiration for both its timing and its unusual formation. Sharing the image on Instagram, Vangen explained that capturing the Northern Lights in a recognisable shape had been a long-standing dream, one that had eluded him despite several attempts in the past.

“I always wanted to capture the northern lights shaped as something. I imagined a bird, a tornado, or a skull or something like this,” Vangen said. He added, “It's been close a few times, but I never felt the shape was clear enough, it just looked messy. Last Friday I finally got something! Perhaps a heart is a bit cliche but I'm not complaining.”

The Science Behind the Spectacle

Auroras are formed when energetic particles from space collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions release energy in the form of light, creating glowing curtains and waves across the sky. Depending on atmospheric conditions and altitude, auroras can appear in a range of colours, from the familiar green to blue, purple, pink, and even red.

Internet Reactions: Awe and Doubt

As the image spread rapidly online, reactions poured in from across the world. While many were mesmerised by the beauty of the photograph, some initially questioned whether the image was real or generated using artificial intelligence.

“Mindblowing. People who think this is AI don't know nature is more magical than they think,” one user commented. Another wrote, “One of the most beautiful Northern Light pictures I have ever seen.”

Others reflected on the emotional impact of the image. “Say what you will, but the reality is one: Even nature expresses God's love! I have no doubt that the photo is real and I am grateful for your dedication and for sharing something so rare Like a record of this. Thank you,” a third user said.

A fourth user pointed to changing times, adding, “It's a shame that nowadays you have to justify yourself or prove that it was really photographed that way. But my first thought was also that it was AI. You've managed to take a really great, extraordinary picture.”

Photographer Responds to AI Claims

Addressing doubts about authenticity, Vangen offered a detailed clarification on how the photograph was created. “This post got way more engagement than I expected! Thank you all for the mostly nice comments and messages. Some people are asking if it's Al, and in today's world, I think it's very understandable, but no, it's not Al,” he said, while sharing the RAW file to support his claim.

Explaining his process further, Vangen noted, “Some final words on this topic. Every photographer has different rules for themselves for what's allowed. I do some different things depending on the situation, but most of my pictures so far, is just one regular shot, edited in Lightroom and Photoshop. But I often focus stack, and sometimes blends. Especially with night photography, blends, stacks and even composites are very common.”

The rare heart-shaped aurora, perfectly timed ahead of Valentine’s Day, has since become a symbol of nature’s unpredictability and beauty proving that sometimes the most magical moments are entirely real and happen without warning.