March 2001 Auroras

The large sunspot group known as AR 9393, imaged with a Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera attached to a 500mm f/5.6 Maksutov telescope + 12.4mm eyepiece. This sunspot group has a surface area equal to perhaps 14 Earths. The image was made at UT 23:46 on 28 March 2001. The next day this region produced a large coronal mass ejection, resulting in a spectacular auroral display on the evening of March 31.

Curtains. For about 2 hours, the horizon from northwest to northeast was lit as brightly as twilight. I was easily able to read my camera's settings by this light. The nearly steady greenish glow might have been mistaken for the light dome of a major city, except for the faintly shimmering striations flickering through it. 30 second exposure, 50mm lens, Kodak Elite 100.

Glow. Looking to the east, the sky glowed an intense red. Some clouds are seen silhouetted against the glow. Sometimes I can see the light dome from Colorado Springs low on this horizon (it is about 35 miles away, on the opposite side of Pikes Peak). On this evening, a low overcast over the city prevented any of its light from escaping. 30 second exposure, 50mm lens, Kodak Elite 100.

Spokes. Directly overhead, bright spokes shot through the background glow. These would persist for several seconds, then fade away only to reform again a few seconds later. 30 second exposure, 50mm lens, Kodak Elite 100.

Spokes. More of these interesting overhead spokes. 30 second exposure, 50mm lens, Kodak Elite 100.

Glow. Another view to the east, showing a bright green-blue glow above the pervasive red skyglow. This event only lasted a couple of minutes. 15 second exposure, 50mm lens, Kodak Elite 100.