Surprise G2-class Geomagnetic storm sparks stunning red auroras even in Missouri
2023 has been an eventful year for astronomers and skywatchers. Not only have we witnessed several big asteroids pass by Earth at close distances, but other sky phenomena such as auroras have mesmerized us too. The planet has been continuously bombarded by solar storms since the turn of the year and not a single week has gone by without at least one incident being reported of solar particles hitting the atmosphere. Now, a geomagnetic storm surprised astronomers, and it sparked stunning red auroras which lit up the sky as far south as the US.
On May 19, a massive crack appeared in the Earth's magnetic field. Solar wind entered the planet's atmosphere through this gap and sparked a G2-class Geomagnetic storm, according to a report by spaceweather.com. Following the impact of the storm, stunning red auroras were seen across many northern states in the US and shockingly, even as far south as Missouri.
Red auroras are rarer than green auroras because they require a higher level of energy to be produced. These auroras are produced due to the high-altitude oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules colliding and emitting light in the red part of the spectrum.
"The night started off with a surprise passage of Starlink satellites whose 21 or so members flared to incredibly bright for a few seconds. Then the red auroras came and were visible to my camera for about an hour or so,” said photographer Dan Bush who captured the red auroras in Missouri.
According to Spaceweather, this Geomagnetic storm was likely caused by a CME that missed Earth by a close margin last week and left South-pointing magnetic fields in its wake. “Those south-pointing fields partially cancelled Earth's north-pointing magnetic field, lowering our defenses against
Read more on tech.hindustantimes.com
