APOD: Alaska Aurora Sequence (2013 Dec 28)

[APOD Robot]

Alaska Aurora Sequence

Explanation: A remarkably intense auroral band flooded the northern night with shimmering colors on December 7. The stunning sequence captured here was made with a camera fixed to a tripod under cold, clear skies near Ester, just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. Left to right, spanning a period of about 30 minutes, the panels follow changes in the dancing curtains of northern lights extending to altitudes of over 100 kilometers in a band arcing directly overhead. The panels span 150 degrees vertically, covering about 500 kilometers of aurora laying across the sky from edge to edge. The auroral activity was triggered by a moderate level geomagnetic storm, as a high speed solar wind stream buffeted planet Earth's magnetosphere.

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[Guest]

I created this

[Boomer12k]

WOW....looks like it knotted up, and then burst forth....spectacular.

:---[===] *

[orin stepanek]

Awesome!

[BDanielMayfield]

Awesome!

Exactly.

I created this

We doubt it.

[FloridaMike]

The last image on the right reminds me of M-Theory and colliding membranes. The parallel field lines illuminated by the aurora make a decent model of the membranes. The dancing motion of field lines represent the gyrations of the membranes and suggest the possibilities of collision as speculated in M-Theory. I guess the big question is, what is the process analogous to the magnetic field that gives rise to the membranes?

[BMAONE23]

The last image (far right) looks like an eagle in flight to me. I see why the Native Inuit's revere these lighte as Totem Spirit Lights

[Anthony Barreiro]

Wow.

I would love to see this series of images as a time lapse video.

[BDanielMayfield]

I would love to see this series of images as a time lapse video.

As would I Anthony. Hey, look at the coming attractions for tomorrows apod:

Tomorrow's picture: time-lapse

Maybe we'll get our wish manana.