2012-03-28

Storm surprise

An un announced geomagnetic storm took place last night and into early this morning. What looks like a switch in polarity of the IMF (no not the money crowd, the Interplanetary magnetic field) casued a rip in our magnetic field which allowed high energy solar particles to race into our atmosphere. Some beautiful aurorae were visible from Ireland including these from Ronan Newman of Galway Astronomy Club http://m1231.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/Ronan_Newman/IMG_3287.jpg.html?newest=1 . My own magnetometer (below) showed that activity seemed to start Tuesday evening and by 4am local time Wednesday, it had settled again.


Dave Gradwell

2 comments:

  1. Hi Dave, I captured about two hours worth of photos! Will try to condense to a time lapse of 30seconds. Here is 1 photo I posted on Flickr.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/55738210@N05/7022375661/

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  2. Thanks Brian, what fantastic colours!
    Dave Gradwell

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