|
A Grand Display |
|
October
1-2, 2002 |
|
This show was much better in person than can be seen in the photographs (and sometimes, photographs are better than the show). There was activity from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m., but it was minimal - despite the entire northern sky being a bright glow almost the entire time. Thinking the show was over, I left at 10:00 p.m. Back in Bismarck, I walked outside at 10:35 p.m., and saw a substorm - surging rays, with a distinct red on the top half of some of the rays - WOW! I checked the computer, and found that the show was getting stronger. Then I saw one of the most beautiful substorms ever while driving out to dark skies. I should have stopped and photographed it - rays brightening much like Christmas lights turning on and off in December. I was able to watch the corona for about 45 minutes from 11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Being surrounded by aurora - including to the south - is an awesome experience, and to see the pulsating and movements towards the zenith, was well worth the price of admission (lost sleep and money for gas). Anyway, it was a show I will never forget.
This photograph of the corona includes what looks like a bird flying south for the winter. I just can't figure out why they do that. Winters aren't that bad here, are they? Approximately 11:45 p.m. |
|
The corona - again! Approximately 11:45 p.m. |
|
The corona - again! Approximately 11:45 p.m. |
|
Looking east. |
|
Looking north at approximately 11:45 p.m., October 1, 2002. |
|
This photograph and the one below show the corona. Taken at approximately 11:45 p.m., October 1, 2002. |
|
|
|
Looking east-southeast at approximately 11:45 p.m., October 1, 2002. |
|
|
