Our Sky

Honorable mention in the 2023 IAU OAE Astrophotography Contest, category Still images with smartphones-mobile devices: Our Sky, by Ema Radulović.

In the brooding serenity of a night in Belgrade, Serbia, a captivating display of lightning was captured during an astrophotography class in January 2023. Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs during thunderstorms when electrically charged regions of the atmosphere momentarily equalise. This photograph, taken with a smartphone, showcases the transient yet stunning power of these electrical storms, and receives an honourable mention in the category of Still images taken exclusively with smartphones/mobile devices. It reminds us of the raw forces of nature that paint the night sky with electrifying displays, offering a glimpse into the powerful dynamics of Earth's atmosphere.

Credit: Ema Radulović/IAU OAE (CC BY 4.0)