April Aurora From Space

Provided by: Hank Brandli
Summary authors & editors: Hank Brandli; Jim Foster

The above photo was taken from the DMSP F-15 satellite on April 1, 2003 and shows the northern lights or aurora borealis streaming across central and eastern Canada. Hudson Bay is at the upper center of the photo, and the Great Lakes are at the lower left. Solar wind particles buffeted the Earth's magnetic field for much of last week, resulting in particularly vigorous auroras. From the ground, this auroral display was easily observed, not only in Canada, but along the northern tier of the U.S. as well.

Thanks to Bruce Telfeyan and Mark Conner for retrieving this photo.

Related Links:

• Space Weather
• About DMSP Satellites
• More About Auroras