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2024-05-25

Magic Moments 4: Aurora Borealis

#life

#physics

One more magic moment after

/en/2024/20240123-magic-3.gmi

Aurora Borealis

Interested folks know well, that the sun is quite active at this time. Stephane is keeping us informed here:

gemini://gemini.bortzmeyer.org/presto/

Suffice it to say that around 2024-05-09 several X class flares occured on the solar surface. The interplanetary magnetic field increased quite a bit (factor 10) and elevated particle flux was detected, too.

In the late evening of 2024-05-11 I went outside with the expectation to see nothing. Living near 48°N 10°E is quite some distance from the magnetic North pole of Earth. But unexpectedly, the sky towards the North-West was glowing in a distinct red --- without structures, but clearly aurora borealis. I gazed in astonishment! It was the first time I have consciously seen this phenomenon of nature.

Of course I went back in to fetch my camera and call my wife. We went outside and marveled at the red glow. However, by the time I understood, how to take long time exposures with this newfangled electronic camera, the aurora was gone.

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