During the declining phase of the solar cycle in early November 2004 another
compact and very complex sunspot (NOAA 10696) appeared close to the solar equator.
That active region produced a couple of energetic solar flares which were all
followed by halo coronal mass ejections.
One of those mass ejections from the center of the solar disc reached earth
on 2004/11/07 near 18:28 UTC. The resulting geomagnetic storm brought bright
northern lights down to northern and central Germany as well as France and Slovenia.
The main part of the activity however was seen over America and all the way
down towards the southern states of the United States.
During the following days the strong geomagnetic and auroral activity continued
mostly over the USA.
My own observations of the Aurora borealis in the night of November 07/08 took
place in Mainz-Bretzenheim. It somewhat suffered from clouds moving into the
area and the light pollution of Mainz.
The northern lights during the night of November 07/08 could be observed in
multiple short substorms. I was able to observe the following ones:
1st substorm: 22:25 - 22:35 UTC (rays and curtain)
2nd substorm: 23:30 - 23:50 UTC (rays and curtain)
Here are my pictures, all taken in Mainz-Bretzenheim (49.98°Nord, 8.23°Ost).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|