What is the Shape of the Sky Project?

The Shape of the Sky Project is a collaborative community project to publish a hardcover book that illustrates the beauty of the Northern Lights in Michigan, while featuring the work of hundreds of photographers. Created by Aurora Entrepreneur Melissa F. Kaelin, the project involved putting out a call for submissions, compiling nearly 200 photographs, writing appealing content, and editing each piece of the book into one large Aurora Photography Collection.

The project launched in January 2026, as a way to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Michigan Aurora Chasers, a vibrant community of over 134,000 Aurora Chasers and Photographers.

About the Photography Collection

Created in the Shape of the Sky Project, this Aurora Photography Collection will feature Northern Lights photographs from nearly 200 photographers — making it the largest collection of Aurora photographs ever published in Michigan, and possibly the U.S.A. Slated to be released by January 2027, the book will be titled “A Celestial Dance: Northern Lights Over Michigan.”

As Editor and Author of the book, Melissa will add the tome to her work in the 45th Parallel Series. The book will also feature her award-winning writing in short essays that capture the experience of chasing, understanding, and viewing the Northern Lights in the mid-latitudes.

Special Offers: Early Supporters & Sponsors

As a special offer, you can take advantage of three options to order the book now, before it is printed. To thank our earliest supporters and those who have stepped up to sponsor the book, we’re offering both a Collector’s Edition and a Standard Edition to those who place their order in 2026. The book is slated to release in January 2027!

Limited Time! Special Offers:

• Lowest Price Available! $75 Early Supporters **
  (includes shipping)
  Take advantage of the lowest publicly available price to order the hardcover book!
  Save 33% or more on full price! Offer available until December 31st, 2026. Must purchase by October 1st, 2026, to have your name printed in the book. For best results, use Venmo or payment to avoid fees.
• $150 Early Supporters with Collector’s Edition **
  (includes shipping)
  Offer available until December 31st, 2026. Must purchase by October 1st, 2026, to have your name printed in the book.
• $200 Sponsor with Collector’s Edition **
  (includes shipping and special perks!)

** To get your name printed on the front pages of the book, please purchase one of the three options by October 1, 2026. Sponsors and Early Supporters who place an order after October 1 will see their names listed on the website only. The offer to see your name listed as an Early Supporter or Sponsor expires December 31, 2026. As of January 1, 2027, the customer is responsible for S&H.

Special pricing only available until December 31st, 2026.

For best results, use Venmo or payment page to avoid additional fees.

These offers can be found at: Patreon.com/AuroraAuthor/shop

Pricing & Availability

Thank you for your interest in the Shape of the Sky Project! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support International Dark Sky organizations.

For the best pricing on the book, buy direct online from BookBaby’s Bookshop or visit your local international dark sky park or independent bookseller.

Retailers who carry the book may include:

• International Dark Sky Parks
• Independent Bookstores

COMMON QUESTIONS

Q: Is the book available in soft cover or a publicly sold eBook? A: No, the book is only sold in hardcover. It’s available from major distributors and by print-on-demand.

Q: Can I get a discount on the book? A: Anyone associated with the project group or the Michigan Aurora Chasers will have access to discounts on the hardcover book! (No soft cover.)