Posted on by Nancy Atkinson

Incredible Aurora Outburst From Recent X-Class Flare

Our Twitter feeds just exploded with pictures of an auroral outburst in the UK, Scandinavia, Iceland and even from the International Space Station! Thanks to the X4.9 class solar flare on on Feb. 25, the resulting CME hit Earth’s magnetic field today and triggered geomagnetic storms. Take a look at some of the images pouring in, featuring dancing curtains of reds, greens, purples and pinks:

'This is how a CME impact looks like," tweeted Göran Strand from Östersund, Sweden. "Lot's of aurora tonight."
‘This is how a CME impact looks like,” tweeted Göran Strand from Östersund, Sweden. “Lot’s of aurora tonight.”
The aurora seen over Scotland on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit and copyright: Euan McIntosh.
The aurora seen over Scotland on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit and copyright: Euan McIntosh.

Red curtains of aurora. 'I'm amazed, blown away, never seen aurora before EVER,' said astrophotographer Wendy Clark. 'Just incredible, stood for ages watching it develop.'
Red curtains of aurora. ‘I’m amazed, blown away, never seen aurora before EVER,’ said astrophotographer Wendy Clark. ‘Just incredible, stood for ages watching it develop.’
This view of the aurora from Chobham, Surrey in the UK on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit and copyright: Tom Chitson.
This view of the aurora from Chobham, Surrey in the UK on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit and copyright: Tom Chitson.

This timelapse shows the aurora display over Swordale, Isle of Lewis, Scotland on Feb. 27, 2014:

Here are a few notable tweets:

Here are more images that came in overnight:

An aurora rising from the east above the Science Operations Center at Poker Flat. Aurora seen in Alaska on Feb. 28, 2014. The bubble in the lower right is a dome housing a scientific camera which happens to be in just the right spot to appear as if it's blowing the aurora out. Credit and copyright: Jason Arhns.
An aurora rising from the east above the Science Operations Center at Poker Flat. Aurora seen in Alaska on Feb. 28, 2014. The bubble in the lower right is a dome housing a scientific camera which happens to be in just the right spot to appear as if it’s blowing the aurora out. Credit and copyright: Jason Arhns.
Northern lights from Carmyllie, Angus, Scotland on Feb. 27/28, 2014. Credit and copyright: Mick Walton.
Northern lights from Carmyllie, Angus, Scotland on Feb. 27/28, 2014. Credit and copyright: Mick Walton.
Aurora reflects on water, as seen on February 20, 2014 near Bremnes, Troms Fylke, Norway. Credit and copyright: Ronny Årbekk.
Aurora reflects on water, as seen on February 20, 2014 near Bremnes, Troms Fylke, Norway. Credit and copyright: Ronny Årbekk.

To see more images, take a look at the Twitter feed of @VirtualAstro, or see the aurora gallery at SpaceWeather.com.

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One Reply to “Incredible Aurora Outburst From Recent X-Class Flare”

  1. Just incredible! I just hope I could experience the same some time in my life, as I’m nowhere near North or South Poles. Also, it is wonderful, that there had been no effects of these flares over Earth.

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