The Geomagnetic Storm Resulting From the CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) produced by an X1-flare near sunspot 696

Aurora Borealis, November 7 and 8, 2004

Click on any image below for a higher resolution image

2 wide angle images stitched together provide a panoramic image of the wonderful Northern Lights on November 7, 2004

Near suppertime on the evening of November 7th, 2004, the skies lit right up for many parts of North America.  Forecasters had been predicting a strong probability of aurora activity and the planetary K Index shot right up to 9.  In Caledon, Ontario the cloud cover partially dissipated enough to provide a great show, the strongest being early in the evening.

The beautiful show was non-stop all evening.  After midnight, a ghostly looking green corona slithered almost directly overhead and it continued to morph into many interesting shapes.  The coyotes were yipping and howling in the distance, which only added to the spooky effect.

Nikon D100 Digital SLR, 14mm lens (21mm effective focal length with the D100), f2.8, 15 to 20 second exposures at ISO 320