MIND-BENDING AURORAS: Usually, when aurora tour guide Marianne Bergli sees mind-bending auroras over Tromsø, Norway, she is surrounded by clients. Last night, she was all alone. "The lights were incredible--just fantastic," she says. "And I enjoyed the display all by myself."

https://imgur.com/V6JMv4t

This is what happens when a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) hits Earth during a global pandemic: Lots of auroras, few tourists. Despite the lack of witnesses, though, the outburst really happened. "Every color in the heavens cycled through the sky," she says. "It. Was. Amazing."

In the wake of the CIR, solar wind is now blowing around Earth at speeds near 600 km/s. If these conditions persist, more Arctic mind-benders are possible on Feb. 3rd. Says Bergli, "you are welcome to join us."

[link to www.spaceweather.com (secure)]