APOD: October Aurora in Prairie Skies (2013 Oct 05)

[APOD Robot]

October Aurora in Prairie Skies

Explanation: Wind and spaceweather are transformed in this haunting night skyscape. The prairie windmill and colorful auroral display were captured on October 1, from central South Dakota, USA, as a good season for aurora hunters came with longer autumn nights. From green to rarer reddish hues, the northern lights are sparked by the geomagnetic storms caused by solar activity. These extend far above the cloud bank to altitudes well over 100 kilometers, against the backdrop of distant stars in the northern night. Visual double star Mizar, marking the middle of the Big Dipper's handle, is easy to spot at the left edge of the frame. The dipper's North Celestial Pole pointers Merak and Dubhe line up vertically near picture center.

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[LocalColor]

Lovely photo - thank you APOD.

[neufer]

• _Cyrano de Bergerac_ by Edmond Rostand (Act II Scene VII)

DE GUICHE: I advise you study—the windmill chapter!

CYRANO: [bowing] Chapter thirteen.

DE GUICHE: For when one attacks windmills, it may happen that—

CYRANO: Are you saying that I attack those who change with every change of the breeze?

DE GUICHE: —that the arms of windmills may catch you and sweep you down into the mud!

CYRANO: Or upward to the stars!

[Beyond]

CyrArtano de Neuendorffer, de Expert of de charging of de windmills of de plains. De plains-de plains, where de deer and de antelope and de Aurora's play. Where seldom is heard an unArtistical word, and the skies could be filled with Aurorae all day.

[neufer]

CyrArtano de Neuendorffer, de Expert of de charging of de windmills of de plains. De plains-de plains, where de deer and de antelope and de Aurora's play. Where seldom is heard an unArtistical word, and the skies could be filled with Aurorae all day.

<<CyrArtano’s captain arrives with the Space Cadets* to congratulate him on his victory from the night before. The Cadets* press him to tell the story of the fight, teasing the newcomer Creetyond. When CyrArtano recounts the tale, Creetyond displays his own form of courage by interjecting several times with references as to what CyrArtano’s really knows. CyrArtano is angry, but he holds in his temper. Eventually CyrArtano explodes, the shop is evacuated..>>

[Beyond]

Creetyond

Alas, poor CyrArtano, we hardly knew ye. We that Art left, will rightly gather thine ashes and sprinkle them amongst the Aurora in the Prairie Skies, in an Artnouveau manner, befitting your Great stature.

[Sam]

I saw these lights while driving through northern Iowa and was able to pull over and get a few pictures. They're not great but I was happy they showed the red and green.