Northern Lights show better than expected!

Aurora over Torch Lake, photo by HLHigham

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center posted Geomagnetic Storm Starts Early about 8 hours ago:

The awaited CME passed the ACE spacecraft around 0100 UTC on October 2 (9:00 p.m. EDT October 1), sooner than forecasters had expected. G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storming now prevails, with the prospects of G2 (Moderate) levels still to come. The shock had no effect on the current Solar Radiation Storm, still declining through the S1 (Minor) category. Aurora watchers in North America may want to check the skies in the next few hours.

Those who got out were rewarded, and there’s more on tap for tonight. With this strong on an aurora at Torch Lake, the might be visible tonight in Grand Rapids or even further south!

I posted a photo from Heather just a couple of days ago, but sometimes convention needs to take a back seat to beauty! Check this out background bigtacular and in her Night Sky slideshow. 

PS: Shawn Malone simply posted “Oh My” about an hour ago, so definitely take a look at her Lake Superior Photo Facebook later today when she’s had a chance to grab some shut-eye and post them!