What is the Shape of the Sky Project?

The Shape of the Sky Project is a collaborative community project to publish a hardcover book illustrating the beauty of the Northern Lights, while featuring the work of hundreds of photographers. Created by Aurora Entrepreneur Melissa F. Kaelin, the project included a public call for submissions, which led to the compilation of photos from nearly 200 photographers.

Combined with informative and inspiring essays, the submissions were edited into one large Aurora Photography Collection. Volume I in the Shape of the Sky Book Project is slated for release in early 2027.

The project began 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.

> Now on Instagram
> Our Facebook Page & Project Group
> Browse the Project on Patreon/AuroraAuthor

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Thank You to Our Sponsors & Early Supporters

We owe our sincere thanks to those who have offered their financial and in-kind support to this project, even back when the idea was still taking shape. Your contributions are helping us publish an awe-inspiring collection for all to enjoy!

Table of Contents

Click a link to jump to that section.

• Book Title
• Vision for the Book
• Upcoming Events
• Frequently Asked Questions

Book Title

Using a working title for the book project, I’m not choosing a book name yet. Instead, I’m giving the project a name, or slug-line to use the journalistic term, so everyone can instantly recognize the project in conversation: The Shape of the Sky Book/Project!

Vision for the Book

Imagine a large, hardcover book, professionally printed on glossy white pages, featuring hundreds of full-color photographs from photographers across the area, illustrating the many colors, movements and formations of the Northern Lights across the state of Michigan.

• A written introduction
• Modern, sophisticated photographs, formatted full-size on nearly every page
• Captions including the photographer name and photograph information, often below the photo, formatted into the design
• A dozen or so pages with short written content about the Northern Lights
• A hardcover book, available in print direct from the publisher website and on Amazon
• The option of distribution to bookstores, dark sky parks, galleries and shops, online retailers and more.
• Pages reserved for a dedication, author’s special thanks, a credits page with contact information for the Michigan Aurora Chasers, a section promoting the author’s platform
• An Index in the back with page numbers for each photographer

The project background has been archived here: Project Background