11/11/2025 Proton Auroras

Two of the defining features of the recent aurora super storm were the deep red color and the active green proton aurora bands and blobs. This post highlights the proton blobs.

I kept seeing bright patches in the main glow of the aurora. They would form as bright blobs and then quickly expand and dissipate. I had a couple cameras running - one for an animation, and another with a more zoomed in lens focusing on the action. See below for the photos and animation.

At one point, the bright blobs formed into a bright greenish-white band low in the aurora curtain. I was able to capture a panorama of the display - as seen in the panorama at the top of the page.

So what are Proton Auroras anyway? Here is from the Newsweek article: Pulsating Auroras Spotted Tearing Themselves Apart in Night Sky

Unlike normal auroras, which are triggered by CME particles and particles from the Earth's magnetosphere hitting the atmosphere, these proton auroras are caused by the Earth's invisible rings. Proton auroras also tend to pulsate because of plasma wave activity in Earth's ring current. They appear more often during sunset, as the Earth's magnetosphere pushes the protons toward the dusk side of the planet. - https://www.newsweek.com/strange-proton-aurora-seen-space-1801451

It was an amazing sight and an absolute wonder and joy to behold. It is fascinating to see how each different aurora super storm has its own defining characteristics.