Solar Wind Plasma Creates Mind-blowing Auroras

[Friends just call me Ross]

https://spaceweather.com/

 

CO-ROTATING INTERACTION REGION: What made the auroras of Feb. 2nd so good? It was a co-rotating interaction region (CIR). CIRs are transition zones between slow- and fast-moving streams of solar wind. Solar wind plasma piles up in these regions, creating density gradients and shock waves that can rock Earth's magnetic field much like a CME. A CIR hit Earth on Feb. 2nd and ... see below.

MIND-BENDING AURORAS: Usually, when aurora tour guide Marianne Bergli sees mind-bending auroras over Tromsø, Norway, she is surrounded by clients. Last night, she was all alone. "The lights were incredible--just fantastic," she says. "And I enjoyed the display all by myself."

"Every color in the heavens cycled through the sky," she says. "It. Was. Amazing."

This is what happens when a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) hits Earth during a global pandemic: Lots of auroras, few tourists. Despite the lack of witnesses, though, the outburst really happened.

In the wake of the CIR, solar wind is now blowing around Earth at speeds near 500 km/s. If these conditions persist, more Arctic mind-benders are possible on Feb. 3rd. 

[Friends just call me Ross]

https://spaceweathergallery.com/aurora_gallery.html

 

[Friends just call me Ross]

 

 

[Tia]

Absolutely beautiful 

[Julie]

I've had a glimpse of the Northern Lights in the night sky (when it's been clear) on occasion....but nothing as spectacular as this!!

[Dustparticle]

Awesome, yet mind or wind blowing sub zero temperatures are coming in your area soon sis. Be careful.

[pnutts]

Solar Wind Plasma Creates Mind-blowing

 

 

Wasn't there a song about your Mind "Blowing in the Wind?

 

Hmm Some equate mind with brain thus the wind would be blowing thru your heard - thru the ears? Nothing to stop it?🤣

 

On a more serious note. Back circa 1991 we had a lot of northern light in September, even in southern Ontario

which my boys and I witnessed all night long as we drove back north.

 

One night on way to conduct a study 2/3 of the sky was lit up all different shades/colours and another night the whole sky was golden. 👍