In the evening hours of 2002 October 1st another auroral display could be
seen over Germany. This display had its origin in the very end of a disturbance
in a solar wind and therefore in the geomagnetic field, following a shockfront
on September 29th. The onset of a highspeed solar wind stream flowing from a
coronal hole gave the final push to enable sightings also from Germany.
Unfortunately the Rhine-Main-area was under high clouds, obscuring the view
of the spectacle.
The aurora was visible as a bright glow at first, which could be detected by
digital cameras up to 15 degree in elevation.
During the evening two major substorms occured, showing rays, beams and curtains
rising out of the persisting glow. The maximum elevation of the aurora during
these substorms was 25 degree.
During the two substorms a weak auroral glow over the northern horizon was detectable
all the time.
The auroral display during the night of October 01. came in 2 waves:
1. phase: 21:00 - 21:15 UTC
2. phase: 21:35 - 21:50 UTC
Here are my pictures, all taken north of Wiesbaden (50.16°north, 8.21°east).
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