March 23, 2023: An aurora just above the trees
With solar maximum approaching, I was hoping that we would be able to see aurorae. After being skunked during the last solar maximum, I had to keep my eye out for potential events. I had driven home from work (I was working second shift) and was aware the Kp index had approached 7. This was usually a sign an aurora could be visible. I decided to go out into the side yard and look north. Sure enough, there was a glow visible just above the tree line. Over the next fifteen minutes, the aurora exhibited activity with some red rays that were visible for a few minutes and then disappeared. This animation shows how quickly the activity peaked and then faded.