an ASTRONOMICAL week-in-review

It's very rare when so many astronomical events collide within the span of 1 week.

Earlier this week a geomagnetic storm caused by the sun ignited spectacular Aurora (Northern Lights) displays in these latitudes. The farther north you were, the better the displays were. [WATCH]

Polar Spirits (Outstanding Footage of the Northern Lights)

Friday was the vernal equinox. Spring arrived here in SE MN at 5:45pm
Areas of Europe were also treated to a total eclipse of the sun.

BELOW: **From instagram.com/nytimes: “Tourists from all around the world have traveled here to see the eclipse, ” Tine Mari Thornes writes from Longyearbyen, in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago. “I have seen a partial eclipse before, but nothing like this.” #ENVIOUS

Tonite locally, with clear skies you will be able to view the very thin waxing crescent moon setting with the planet Mars close by. Look for this event about an hour after sunset in the west.

HAPPY VIEWING!