Geomagnetic Storm

Space Weather News for April 5, 2010
http://spaceweather.com

AMAZING LIFTOFF:  This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn.  Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program.  Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud.  Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.  Latest images may be found in the gallery: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page3.htm