The pole of the Earth suddenly lit up

Wednesday, August 23, sudden geomagnetic storm lit up the Earth's poles a magnificent glow. Peter Sayers captured the Northern lights from the banks of the river forth, which flows in the island Australian state of Tasmania.

"These fantastic polar lights lit up on the left side of the field at that time, when I watched the southern horizon, says Sayers. Fabulous show, visible to the naked eye, lasted for several hours. Among the tints were bright rays similar to the light from the spotlight."

Who was responsible for this unexpected performance? As always — our Sun. The interplanetary magnetic field near the Earth (Interplanetary magnetic field) leaned to the South, opening a "crack" in the magnetosphere of our planet. Through it flew the solar wind, consisting of charged particles that at a certain point emitted light photons.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»