Space Weather News for May 11, 2002 An unexpected interplanetary shock wave swept past Earth at 1000 UT on May 11th and triggered a moderate geomagnetic storm. High-latitude sky watchers -- i.e., those in northern Europe, Canada and across the northern tier of US states -- should be alert for auroras after local nightfall on Saturday. Although the shock wave was not a particularly strong one, it stimulated a geomagnetic storm because the interplanetary magnetic field near Earth is pointing south -- a condition that weakens our planet's magnetic defenses against solar wind disturbances. Visit spaceweather.com for updates. Okay I'm late. Sue me. However give up a big hand to Mike O'Leary (picture left) the photographer of this wonderful sunset picture he shot on May 11, waiting for the sunset. And another hand for Philippe Mouseette who shot (the picture right) of the Northern Lights over Quebec City Canada at sunset on May 11.
