Auckland photographer Joseph Michael's Luminosity project was shot in 30 million year old rock limestone formations on the country's north island, by using long-exposure photography.

'The exposures varied [depending] on the cave and how close I could get. Five minutes for the close ups and 30 minutes or one hour for some of the wider ones,' Mr Michael wrote on his Facebook page.

The result is a fascinating range of hypnotic close-up photographs, some of which more closely resemble outer-space scenery, and tranquil landscape shots in which the glowing lights can be seen shimmering in the water below.

'Being inside the caves is an incredible experience — one of nature's miracles,' Mr Michael told the ABC.

The luminous glow worms, called Arachnocampa luminosa, are unique to New Zealand and light up in order to catch prey and attract mates.

Glowing, sticky lines of mucous and silk, sometimes as long as 50cm, are lowered to catch organisms for the larvae to feast on.

(dailymail.co.uk)