A Once in a Generation Aurora Event, May 2024

On May 9th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a watch for a G5 level geomagnetic storm. On May 10th, that storm materialized, and we had the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades. The aurora powered by that storm was seen in all 50 of the United States. Even Florida and Hawaii. So intense was this storm that it pushed "the oval" well south. Most of the photos you see here are of the eastern, western and SOUTHERN sky. Normally, when I shoot northern lights, I face north. But this time, the best action was in the south because the oval was south of us. Of the 400+ photos I shot this night, fewer than 25% have the camera aimed to the north. The storm was of long duration. It lasted all night, with three separate, distinct peaks and a mild slow down between each one. I was out the entire night - from before sunset to just prior to sunrise. Even though this was a powerful storm, the aurora it produced didn't make my top five. I does make my top ten. There are descriptions and titles in the captions.

Sax Zim 1: We began the evening before sunset in the Sax Zim Bog, in hopes that we would find clear skies. The aurora was visible even before it was dark. This was the first shot.
Sax Zim 1: We began the evening before sunset in the Sax Zim Bog, in hopes that we would find clear skies. The aurora was visible even before it was dark. This was the first shot.
Sax Zim 2: Before dark, we began to see coronas. This is the beginning of one.the b
Sax Zim 2: Before dark, we began to see coronas. This is the beginning of one.the b
Sax Zim 3: This is near the end of the corona.
Sax Zim 3: This is near the end of the corona.
Sax Zim 4: Clouds can enhance an image.
Sax Zim 4: Clouds can enhance an image.
Sax Zim 4a: Clouds can enhance an image, 2.
Sax Zim 4a: Clouds can enhance an image, 2.
Sax Zim 5: North over the St. Louis River.
Sax Zim 5: North over the St. Louis River.
Sax Zim 5a: South over the St. Louis River
Sax Zim 5a: South over the St. Louis River
Sam Zim 6: Northern Corona
Sam Zim 6: Northern Corona
Sax Zim 7: Pillars over the St. Louis River
Sax Zim 7: Pillars over the St. Louis River
Gooseberry 1a: Spire in the Parking Lot
Gooseberry 1a: Spire in the Parking Lot
Gooseberry 2
Gooseberry 2
Gooseberry 3
Gooseberry 3
Gooseberry 4
Gooseberry 4
Gooseberry 7
Gooseberry 7
Silver Creek 1: As I was driving toward home, the sky blew up again into yet a third substorm. I pulled over near Silver Creek Cliff to watch.
Silver Creek 1: As I was driving toward home, the sky blew up again into yet a third substorm. I pulled over near Silver Creek Cliff to watch.
Silver Creek 2
Silver Creek 2
Silver Creek 3
Silver Creek 3
Silver Creek 4
Silver Creek 4
Silver Creek 5
Silver Creek 5
Silver Creek 6: This is my favorite image from the entire weekend.
Silver Creek 6: This is my favorite image from the entire weekend.
Flood Bay at Sunrise: As I passed Flood Bay, I realized the sun was starting to rise. The aurora and the sunrise...what a lovely combo!
Flood Bay at Sunrise: As I passed Flood Bay, I realized the sun was starting to rise. The aurora and the sunrise...what a lovely combo!
Saprina's House 1
Saprina's House 1
Saprina's House 2
Saprina's House 2
Saprina's House 3
Saprina's House 3

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