Rare pink auroras after solar storm causes hole in magnetosphere
A recent solar storm caused a hole in Earth's magnetic field, which allowed pink auroras to be seen in the night sky above Norway.
- Life
- Published Date: 11:06 | 08 November 2022
- Modified Date: 11:09 | 08 November 2022
This is a rare event caused by highly energetic solar particles penetrating deeper into the atmosphere than normal.
A tour group in Norway spotted the stunning light show on November 3. The light show, known as the aurora, lasted for around 2 minutes.
"These were the strongest pink auroras I have seen in more than a decade of leading tours," the group leader said. "It was a humbling experience."
Shortly after a small crack appeared in the magnetosphere, pink auroras emerged. The magnetosphere is an invisible magnetic field surrounding Earth that is generated by the planet's fluid metal core.
Scientists detected the breach after a minor G-1 class solar storm slammed into Earth on Nov. 3, according to Spaceweather.com.