Auroral display was visible in Maryland
A blast of solar particles and magnetic energy from the sun struck the Earth Monday afternoon. The impact compressed the Earth's magnetic field on the sunward side of the planet and triggered bright displays of the aurora borealis - the Northern Lights.
The displays were visible across the U.S., as far south as New Mexico, Arkansas and North 
Carolina. Observers in Maryland spotted them, too, although, sadly, I was not among them.
An iReporter from Potomac, Md., named Kaidi, on spaceweather.com, said, "I saw spaceweather.com said aurora is underway and very strong. So I took my Canon 10D and went out to the deck. I can see some reddish color in the northwestern sky and aimed my camera at that direction. Each photo is exposed for 10 to 15 seconds." Here are her images.
Some observers said the display was the brightest they had ever seen. Here is a gallery of images from around the world.
If you missed the display, as I did, you can sign up for text alerts from spaceweather.com so you can catch the next ones. They are not free, as stated in an earlier version of this post. It will run you $4.95 a month. On the other hand, you wouldn't have missed last night's display.
If you saw the display last night it, drop a comment here and share the experience with the rest of us poor unfortunates. Thanks!
The geomagnetic storm was triggered by a large coronal mass ejection from the sun over the weekend. The storm is subsiding now, but it might be worth another look tonight if our skies stay clear.
(PHOTO: Shawn Malone, in Marquette, Mich. Used with permission)
Comments
Awww, I always hear these things the next day. I've never seen the aurora, but would love to.
Thanks for the link to text alerts. I'll give that a try!
Posted by: LJ Kirk | October 25, 2011 11:23 AM
It stinks that link for the texts cost money. :(
Posted by: Cheap | October 25, 2011 11:48 AM
Unfortunately, the Spaceweather.com text messages are not free. A monthly subscription is required in order to receive aurora alerts.
Posted by: Ryan | October 25, 2011 11:58 AM
Yeah, but the text alerts are not free!
Posted by: Jeanne Reeves | October 25, 2011 12:32 PM
Free alerts are available via twitter. @Aurora_Alerts
Just follow and set it up to receive texts.
Posted by: Jon | October 25, 2011 12:45 PM
I saw them Northwest over Frederick! Thought I was dreaming or it was some chemical cloud but the curtain streaks were visible too. Very cool!
Posted by: claire | October 25, 2011 3:29 PM
I was on a Southwest flight from Baltimore to Tampa last night. The pilot informed everyone that the Northern Lights were putting on a show oustide. Ironically, I had just finished reading a section on the Northern Lights in my book about Alaska. We have a trip planned there next year. Very cool red and green display.
Posted by: Philip Crouthamel | October 25, 2011 4:17 PM
I saw this! I thought there was a big fire in the neighborhood and started listening for the sirens. I happened to go out onto our back deck while my husband watched that awful Ravens' performance. The sky was fire red for several minutes. I definitely had the better show last night.
Posted by: Rita | October 25, 2011 5:48 PM