Explanation:
This aurora was a bit of a surprise.
For starters, on this day in 2002, no intense
auroral activity was
expected at all.
Possibly more surprising, however, the
aurora appeared to show an usual structure of green
rays
from some locations.
In
this view, captured from
North Dakota,
USA, a picket fence of green rays stretches toward
the horizon.
Mirroring the green rays is a
red band, somewhat rare in its own right.
Lights from the cities of Bismarck and
Mandan are visible near the horizon.
Note: A German language mirror of APOD is
now available.
