In the early morning of September 13, 2024, affected by a strong geomagnetic storm, aurora reappeared in the sky of northern Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, showing a magnificent scene.

Photo taken on the early morning of September 13, 2024, shows the aurora and milky way enhance each other’s beauty at an observatory in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

According to Shan Mao, a staff member of Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company, the intensity of the aurora this time was not strong, and it began to appear around 1 a.m. on September 13, 2024, which was not very clear to the naked eyes. Until around 4 o'clock, a hazy red light can also be seen with the eyes, which is rare to see.

Photo taken at around 1 a.m. on September 13, 2024 shows the faint aurora appeared in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

The Altay Observatory is located on the Sharbulake Grassland in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, where the starry sky and night conditions are among the best in China. Since the beginning of 2024, aurora has been captured multiple times, and the rare green aurora was also captured on May 11, 2024.

The latest data released by the National Satellite Meteorological Center at around 9:00 a.m. on September 13, 2024, shows that in the past 24 hours, a six-hour geomagnetic storm has occurred due to the impact of solar coronal mass ejections (CME), with a maximum Kp index of seven.

It is understood that this geomagnetic storm occurred around 22:00 on September 12, 2024, and lasted until around 4:30. In addition to Xinjiang, auroras have also appeared in Mohe, Heilongjiang and Hulun Buir of China's Inner Mongolia.

Photo shows aurora and milky way in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

Photo shows aurora in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

Photo shows aurora in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

Photo shows aurora in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Altay Observatory Interstellar Exploration Astronomy Technology Company/ Shan Mao)

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