The geomagnetic storm of Oct. 11th lit up both ends of Earth with bright auroras. Minoru Yoneto sends this picture from Queenstown, New Zealand:

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© Minoru Yoneto
"Lights were spilling out of the sky. It made the Southern Cross look like Niagra Falls," says Yoneto.

The display was triggered by a "south-pointing IMF." In other words, the interplanetary magnetic field near Earth tilted south, opening a crack in Earth's magnetosphere. Solar wind poured in and fueled a G1-class geomagnetic storm.

The storm is subsiding now, but the lights are still dancing in the gallery.