VIDEO: Solar flare brings aurora
3News NZ
Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:26a.m.
By 3 News online staff
Friday morning's massive solar flare has brought amazing views to South Island stargazers, an aurora australis lighting up the skies above Canterbury on the weekend.
The X-class flare – the strongest the Sun produces – triggered a geomagnetic storm, resulting in the aurora.
Footage shot in Tekapo and uploaded to YouTube shows a bright green glow above the horizon, with periodic outbreaks of red beams shining higher into the sky.
Video from Darfield also reveals green areas appearing at the very top.
It was the second major flare of the week, the sixth X-class of the year and so far, the largest. Flares, if big enough, can cause havoc with electrical systems and communications.
The sun is in the midst of the active phase of its 11-year cycle. Activity is expected to peak next year.
3 News
Post a Comment
Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide
(Won't be published)
Comments
Earlier this month a group of friends decided they wanted to see the great outdoors and raise a bit of awareness about the environment.
A 15-year-old school student has developed a new test that could detect cancerous tumours before they become too advanced to treat.
Super tornadoes are likely to happen more often as the world warms, according to NIWA.
A stranded orca has been rescued from the Kaipara Harbour after commercial fishermen noticed it stuck on a sandbank.
Parliament has passed amendments to the Crown Minerals Amendment Act which restrict anti-mining protests.
Copyright © 2013 MediaWorks TV. All Rights Reserved.