Photo Of The Day – The Northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, illuminate Finnish soldiers in Rovajärvi as they prepare to fire their mortar. Have you ever had the opportunity to watch the Northern Lights live? It’s quite an experience, and if you’re in a silent and dry place you can hear it as well, like crackles or muffled bangs.

The Aurora is an incredible light show caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The lights are seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. (Source)

Rovajärvi in Finland is the main artillery practice range of the Finnish Army. The size is 1,110 square kilometers (430 sq miles), which makes it one of the largest in Europe. It is located within the municipalities of Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi. Below you can see some Finnish artillery.

The Norwegian soldiers have a similar experience here: Aurora Borealis – Firearms Under The Northern Lights.

All pictures by Taistelukamera / Combat Camera of the Finnish Army.