Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: 9:40 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Central
Kansas Astronomical Observers
Can you say Aurora?
Friday, May 10, 2024
Event Report
Comments and anecdotes about the event:
A cluster of CME's was forecast to produce amazing Aurora seen here in Kansas. My husband and I jumped in our car and headed north to leave the lights from our town to hopefully see the dazzling lights of the Aurora. We drove 10 miles and pulled over on a side road to see the Aurora. Wow! Our latitude is 39 degrees and it was spectacular. My friends from Wichita could see it as well at latitude 37 degrees. While we were mesmerized by the light show, a car pulled up a few yards from where we were. We went over to introduce ourselves and shared the experience with her. We took her on a constellation tour and pointed out some named stars. We shared with her how the magnetosphere around the Earth protects us from the cosmic particles and how the CME could cause some interference with our technology. We encouraged her to use her solar glasses to see the huge sunspots on the Sun tomorrow that caused the Aurora. It was indeed a sight to behold. Both images taken with my Android.
A cluster of CME's was forecast to produce amazing Aurora seen here in Kansas. My husband and I jumped in our car and headed north to leave the lights from our town to hopefully see the dazzling lights of the Aurora. We drove 10 miles and pulled over on a side road to see the Aurora. Wow! Our latitude is 39 degrees and it was spectacular. My friends from Wichita could see it as well at latitude 37 degrees. While we were mesmerized by the light show, a car pulled up a few yards from where we were. We went over to introduce ourselves and shared the experience with her. We took her on a constellation tour and pointed out some named stars. We shared with her how the magnetosphere around the Earth protects us from the cosmic particles and how the CME could cause some interference with our technology. We encouraged her to use her solar glasses to see the huge sunspots on the Sun tomorrow that caused the Aurora. It was indeed a sight to behold. Both images taken with my Android.
Jerelyn Ramirez: The Aurora was very intense and the red colors were amazing. Can you see Cassiopeia?
Jerelyn Ramirez: The crescent Moon flanked by Capella between the clouds to the north, with Castor and Pollux in the upper left of the image within the dazzle of the cosmic light show.