Aurora Borealis from the Bay Area and much beyond

Posted by enzo2go May 11, 2024

A strong solar storm produced a tremendous display of sunshine within the sky overnight, but appeared to cause only minor disruptions to the facility grid, communications and satellite tracking systems.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said extreme geomagnetic storm conditions continued Saturday and there have been preliminary reports of irregularities in the facility grid, deterioration in radio frequency communications and global positioning systems.

However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said no FEMA region has reported significant impacts from the storms up to now. The US Department of Energy said on Saturday that the storms had no known impact on electricity customers.

Text by TOM KRISHER, JOSH FUNK and MARCIA DUNN Associated Press

WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND - MAY 10: People visit St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, in Whitley Bay, England, on May 10, 2024. The UK Meteorological Office said a strong solar storm could give northern parts of the UK the chance to see the Northern Lights. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the Aurora Borealis, commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, in Whitley Bay, England, on May 10, 2024. The UK Meteorological Office said a robust solar storm could give northern parts of the UK the prospect to see the Northern Lights. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, shines on the horizon at St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the northeast coast of England on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Aurora Borealis, also referred to as the Northern Lights, shines on the horizon at St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the northeast coast of England on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
A person takes a photo of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
An individual takes a photograph of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, is seen in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: The Aurora Borealis, commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, is seen in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
LATOURELL, OREGON – MAY 11: The Northern Lights are visible over the Columbia River Gorge from the Chanticleer Point overlook in the early morning hours of May 11, 2024 in Latourell, Oregon. In places as far south as Alabama and parts of northern California, people were expected to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights of a powerful geomagnetic storm that reached Earth. (Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)
LATOURELL, OREGON – MAY 11: The Northern Lights are seen over the Columbia River Gorge from Chanticleer Point Lookout within the early morning hours of May 11, 2024 in Latourell, Oregon. In places as far south as Alabama and parts of northern California, people were expected to see the aurora borealis, also referred to as the northern lights of a robust geomagnetic storm that reached Earth. (Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights over the Forth Bridge in North Queensferry, Scotland, Friday May 10, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights over the Forth Bridge in North Queensferry, Scotland, Friday May 10, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
The Northern Lights appear in the night sky over eastern Brandenburg, Friday, May 10, 2024. Bright purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights have been reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London and the United States Canada. (Patrick Pleul/dpa via AP)
The Northern Lights appear within the night sky over eastern Brandenburg, Friday, May 10, 2024. Bright purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights have been reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London and the United States Canada. (Patrick Pleul/dpa via AP)
In Renton, Washington, people watch the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, as they shine over Lake Washington. Brilliant purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights have been reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London and the United States and Canada. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
In Renton, Washington, people watch the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, as they shine over Lake Washington. Brilliant purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights have been reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London and the United States and Canada. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, can be seen in Vancouver, BC on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, could be seen in Vancouver, BC on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A woman watches the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A lady watches the Aurora Borealis, commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
The Northern Lights fill the sky at Bogus Basin Ski Area in Boise, Idaho on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Kyle Green (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
The Northern Lights fill the sky at Bogus Basin Ski Area in Boise, Idaho on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Kyle Green (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A couple watches the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A pair observes the Aurora Borealis, commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, on May 11, 2024 in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, can be seen in Vancouver, BC on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, could be seen in Vancouver, BC on Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A photographer photographs the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A photographer takes a photograph of the Aurora Borealis, commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
The Aurora Borealis is visible over the bright San Francisco skyline early Saturday morning, May 11, 2024 (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
The Aurora Borealis is visible over the brilliant San Francisco skyline early Saturday morning, May 11, 2024 (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

image credit : www.mercurynews.com

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