For the first time in about ten years I was able to observe and photograph a display of the Northern Lights. A Coronal Mass Ejection from the Sun on March 15 sent a shower of charged particles that interacted with Earth's magnetic field. The ejected matter actually arrived early in the predawn (EDT) hours of March 17. During the daylight hours for the eastern US the intensity of the interaction increased dramatically, giving skywatchers in the eastern hemisphere a vivid display.
Just before the onset of dusk for my location there was a slight drop off in the Auroral activity. Usually this signifies a trend downward and the end of the geomagnetic storm. But as the sky started to darken a quick check of spaceweather.com showed that the fall off was just temporary and the activity re-intensified.
Before astronomical twilight had begun the display was detected by my camera, as I set up on the roadside leading to Ludington State Park.
 |
| Green glow visible in twilight |
Who knew that a road that leads nowhere but park, would suddenly become the busiest road in Mason County.
 |
| Long exposure of passing car |
To avoid headlights washing out my photos I climbed over the dunes and reset up the camera
It wasn't the best display I've ever seen but I had my best camera I'd ever photographed the aurora with.
I strung together about 200 still photos and made a video that I put on youtube. Here is the link.
Video of Northern Lights
