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April 21, 2024 Auroras

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

I started the evening north of town, but the evening solar wind conditions were not favorable for auroras, so I snapped a picture of clear skies, which I had not seen a lot of during 2024 so far. I drove home and went to bed but took note of the recent southward turn in the solar wind magnetic field. If auroras were to happen, it would take several hours, in these conditions, to get them going. I decided to sleep, and if I slept through the night and missed the auroras, it would not be a major show.

Later in the night, I woke up and decided to check solar wind data again. Bz had remained southward and was not even further south than it was when I went to bed. I popped outside and could see a green band to the north. After snapping a quick picture with my cell phone, I grabbed camera equipment and drove out to the nearest boat landings.

I drove out to McKinney Lake first and then to Prairie Lake. I was out for almost two hours before twilight brightened the northeastern sky, and I returned home with the best aurora pictures of 2024 so far, which isn't saying much. It's surprising that we're seeing this little activity near solar maximum, but sometimes things work out that way.

Nice Auroras
A band of auroras seen from my driveway.
Nice Auroras
A band of auroras at McKinney Lake.
Nice Auroras
McKinney Lake.
Nice Auroras
The band drifts a bit westward, closer to being centered around due north.
Nice Auroras
I moved to Prairie Lake.
Nice Auroras
Image taken with my 24mm Canon f1.4 lens and the 5D Mk II.
Nice Auroras
Twilight begins to appear.

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