On Tuesday night heavens over Estonia displayed aurora borealis, bright and fascinating. The phenomenon is brought about by particles erupted from the Sun, the solar winds.
Aurora animates night skies above Estonia
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19th March 2015, 15:55
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Reaching the Earth, the particles excite atoms in the atmosphere – seen by humans as aurora. By the magnetic layer of the Earth, solar winds are directed towards the poles, hence seen near the North and the South of the globe.
«Over the Internet, the specialist websites traditionally let it be known in the morning if aurora is expected at night. Yesterday, (the day before yesterday – edit), however, the relevant information only begun to be posted when the magnetic storm was already here and the aurora seen in the skies,» said Tartu observatory head Janet Laidla.
«There are the various aurora fan communes who observe these and predict their formation. For instance, via the Finnish national astronomy club Ursa, one may subscribe to a mobile phone alert when aurora is expected,» related Ms Laidla.
Tomorrow, if the skies are cloudless, Estonia offers view of a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse starts at 11 am and ends at 1:17 pm. The largest part of the Sun is covered up at 12:09 pm.