Photos: Auroras Supercharged by March 2012 Solar Storms

Aurora over Lake Superior, Marquette, MI

Skywatcher Shawn Malone took this photo of the aurora March 15-16, 2012. She writes: "A subtle aurora of dancing light pillars over Lake Superior, Marquette, MI."

Aurora over Tromso, Norway

Skywatcher Robert Korizek took this photo of an aurora over Tromso, Norway in March 2012.

Aurora over Yellowknife, NWT, Canada, March 8, 2012

Auroramax webcam takes sky pictures automatically. It tweeted: "Latest image of aurora borealis above Yellowknife, NWT taken at 23:20 MST on March 08, 2012."

Aurora over Minnesota

Skywatcher Imelda B. Joson and Edwin L. Aguirre took this photo of the aurora from a plane on March 8, 2012. They write: "We were on our way from Boston to Los Angeles at the time, cruising at an altitude of about 34,000 feet somewhere over Minnesota. We knew the chances of seeing auroras that night were high — a powerful X5-class flare had exploded on the Sun's surface the day before, sparking a moderately strong geomagnetic storm. So at the gate we asked the airline agent to switch our seats to the right side of the plane so our cabin window would be facing north."

Aurora over Lake Superior with Reflection

Skywatcher Shawn Malone took this photo of the aurora March 15-16, 2012. She writes: "Aurora activity picking up casts a bright reflection off of Lake Superior, Marquette, MI."

Aurora over Lake Superior, Alger County, MI

Skywatcher Shawn Malone took this photo of the aurora March 15-16, 2012. She writes: "A brightening curtain of northern lights over Lake Superior, Alger County, MI."

Aurora over Tromso, Norway #2

Skywatcher Robert Korizek took this photo of an aurora over Tromso, Norway in March 2012.

Aurora over Tromso, Norway #3

Skywatcher Robert Korizek took this photo of an aurora over Tromso, Norway in March 2012.

Aurora over Yellowknife, NWT, Canada, March 8, 2012 #2

Auroramax webcam takes sky pictures automatically. It tweeted: "Latest image of aurora borealis above Yellowknife, NWT taken at 21:21 MST on March 08, 2012."

Aurora over Lake Superior

Skywatcher Shawn Malone took this photo March 8, 2012. She writes: "Caught a nice outburst of northern lights last night ... aurora over Lake Superior, Marquette, MI taken early this morning. I'm sure you know there will probably be some major activity in coming days — I'm definitely not used to the frequency of this activity! We're going to be fighting clouds, but I'm sure many others will succeed. Before 2010, I went 3+ years of not seeing the lights. This pick-up in activity is welcome indeed."

Aurora Seen from an Airplane

Skywatchers Imelda B. Joson and Edwin L. Aguirre spotted the aurora on March 8, 2012, while travelling on a commercial flight. They write: "We were on our way from Boston to Los Angeles at the time ... somewhere over Minnesota."