Scientists scan auroral data

Gas streaming from the Sun causes the aurora

By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse

Astronomers all over the Northern hemisphere are analysing their data and images of last weekend's magnificent auroral display and geomagnetic storm. It is said to be the best for well over a decade.

The aurora was seen all over the United States, Canada, Europe and parts of Asia. It reached as far south as Florida. Observers described it as curtains and streamers of red and blue light.

The light is caused by electrons thrown out of the Sun. These strike the Earth's upper atmosphere causing the atmospheric gases to glow.

Czech astronomer Jan Safar of the Brno Observatory took these spectacular images.