February 2003
Aurora Gallery
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Summary: On Feb. 1st at 2100 UT, a coronal mass ejection swept past Earth. At first not much happened because the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) near Earth was pointing north--a condition which suppresses geomagnetic activity. Some hours later, however, the IMF tilted south and a day-long G1-class geomagnetic storm began. Sky watchers in Canada and Alaska saw some splendid Northern Lights on Feb. 2nd. Two days later, on Feb. 4th, Earth passed through a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole, which briefly re-energized the storm. Solar wind streams also sparked auroras on Feb. 9th, 10th and 18th.

Unless otherwise stated, all images are copyrighted by the photographers.


  Photographer, Location Images Comments

John Russell, Nome, Alaska, USA
Feb. 18
#1, #2, #3 J. Russell: "The last several nights were quiet, but tonight was quite lively! Some naked-eye reds were apparent despite the full moonlight!" Photo details: Nikkor 28mm @ f1.4, Fuji Superia 800, 3 to 6 seconds.

Stephane Levesque, Luceville, Quebec, Canada
Feb. 9
#1, #2, #3, #4 Photo details: 28-50 mm, 800 asa, 30 second exposures.

R. Glenn Jewers, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Feb. 9
#1, #2, #3 G. Jewers: "The Northern Lights were out around 8pm and lasted for as long as the batteries in the camera lasted (40 min). It was cold--around -33 degrees C with a wind chill of -42 degrees C!" Photo details: Kodak 400 MAX film, with exposures of 35 to 40 seconds.

Suzanne Ruby, Elk, Washington, USA
Feb. 4
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, more It's been mostly cloudy in Washington state since Christmas, says Suzanne Ruby, but on Feb. 4th she was able to spot auroras between breaks in the clouds. Photo details: Pentex 1000, Kodak 400, 20 - 30 seconds exposure.

Dan Widman, Grand Forks, ND, USA
Feb. 4
#1, #2 Photo details: Fuji 800 film, approx. 15 sec. exposure, 50 mm lens (wide open), Pentax k-1000 camera.

Stephane Levesque, Luceville, Quebec, Canada
Feb. 4
#1, #2 Photo details: 28-50 mm, 800 asa, 30 second exposures.

Robert Siciliano, near Palmer, Alaska, USA
Feb. 2
#1, #2, more R. Siciliano: "Here you can see the vivid aurora playing peek-a-boo with the scattered clouds over Knik River, near Palmer, Alaska. "

Joe Slagle, near Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Feb. 2
#1, #2, #3 J. Slagle: "It was a great display!"

Calvin Hall, Anchorage, Alaska, USA,
Feb. 2
#1, #2, #3, more C. Hall: "These shots were taken in west Anchorage, over Cook Inlet. The streaked lights are of a Boeing 747 taking off from Anchorage International airport. High pressure sodium lights from Anchorage and the airport are the cause of the colored clouds."

Chuck Johnson, Cleary Summit, Alaska, USA
Feb. 2
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, more Photo details: Olympus digital C3040, 400 ISO, 8-16 seconds, f1.8 lens

Philippe Moussette, Cap-Rouge, Quebec, Canada
Feb. 2
#1, more Photo details: Coolpix 4500 at 400ASA exposed 15 sec.

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