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Auroras over the South Pole

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May 29, 2017

A communication relay building at the South Pole, with purple and blue auroras overhead. Photo taken May 28, 2017 by Hunter Davis.

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, a coronal mass ejection or CME arrived at Earth from the sun, sparking a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm that peaked on May 28. According to spaceweather.com, auroras were sighted in more than 20 U.S. states (and no doubt at similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). But they also occurred over the less populous South Hemisphere, and over Earth’s South Pole, where Hunter Davis – who is working there – caught the images on this page. Thank you, Hunter!

Blue auroras over a relay station and communication equipment at the South Pole. And top right is an iridium flare. Photo taken May 28, 2017 by Hunter Davis.

Satellite dome at the South Pole, with auroras. Photo taken May 28, 2017 by Hunter Davis.

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May 29, 2017

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.