Chris Lasley

The past few weeks the sun has been gonzo with activity. I went out tonight to check up on an email from SpaceWeather.com quoting possible auroral activity. I wasn’t disappointed!

It seems a coronal mass ejection swept past Earth and sparked bright auroras over large portions of the United States – even as far south as Arkansas! This is one of two times I have seen aurora – both from the middle of town. This aurora was a bright blue/green fading in and out of site dancing to and fro. It must have been amazing from a dark site.

The source of the activity is a group of three big sunspots. All three of these sunspots are mega active so more auroral activity is possible. Keep and eye on the NOAA Auroral Activity Site for possible upcoming aurora.

UPDATE! – Danny Flippo was able to nab a few shots of last nights auroral activity from the River Ridge Observatory. Visit Danny’s Gallery to see what all the excitement was about.