Solar Wind Sparks Auroras

Solar Wind Sparks Auroras

A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of June 7th, sparking a brief but strong geomagnetic disturbance around the Arctic Circle. Northern Lights spilled across the Canadian border into several US states. Christian Begeman sends this picture from the outskirts of Isabel, South Dakota:

"I was out shooting the Milky Way in rural Corson County when I noticed the old familiar glow on the northern horizon," says Begeman. "Here is a shot of the auroras above the Korb windmill about 5 miles southeast of Isabel."
More auroras are in the offing as Earth moves deeper into the solar wind stream. NOAA forecasters estimate a 45% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on June 8th.


From SpaceWeather.com