Aurora borealis over IcelandCourtesy Erik-Jan VensOld Sol (our sun) fired off a blast of solar energy yesterday that scientists say could produce a good batch of aurora borealis, the atmospheric light show better known as northern lights. The energy unleashed in the recent solar storm (coronal mass ejection) is the most since 2005. When the charged solar particles reach Earth's magnetic field they collide with atoms in the atmosphere and subsequently may produce a spectacular overhead display of colored light. Green seems to be the most common color of aurora, but I've seen spectacular displays of red, blue, yellow and green in the past. So if the skies in your region are clear tonight or tomorrow night, and depending how far north you're located, you might be in for a celestial treat.
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BBC website
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Alright, as usual, it was cloudy in Minneapolis last night, but elsewhere folks were treated to some very nice aurora. You can see some great photos at the link below.
http://spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01jan12_page3.htm
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