Huge Solar Storm Triggers Unusual Auroras

Original Artical from NG According to the National Geographic reported last week, on Aug. 11 , Huge Solar storm triggered spectacular Auroras. More surprisingly, this phenomenon has remained for several days. Look the following these astronomical wonders, you will marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature.

Solar Extreme A bright swirl (left of center) on the sun marks the spot where a tumult of plasma sent out the August 1 coronal mass ejection that sparked last week's auroras, as seen in a mosaic picture taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Different colors show regions of temperature variation on the sun. Solar activity rises and falls on a regular cycle of about 11 years. The last period of peak activity ended in 2001, and it led into a long-lasting quiet spell.  Along with a recent flurry of sunspots, the August eruptions seem to be signs of the star's reawakening—good news for aurora fans, but potential trouble for satellites, astronauts, and some Earthly technologies.

Purple Haze Seen from the shores of Lake Superior, an August 4 aurora glows green topped with blueish-purple. Auroras glow in different colors based on the types of atoms in the atmosphere and how high they are in the sky.