Spectacular Northern lights dance over lake in wake of 'solar tsunami'




Amplified by last week's 'solar tsunami' the striking Northern Lights dance over Michigan's Lake Superior.



Female photographer Shawn Malone, 46, observed the phenomenon for two days last week, using 20 minutes exposures to capture the full array of colours.



She photographed the effects of the series of massive explosions on the Sun last week that caused the Northern Lights to appear brighter than usual.

Skywatchers in the UK were denied the chance to witness the Northern Lights after missing out on the spectacular sight due to cloudy skies.



A view of the Northern Lights affected by the solar tsunami over Lake Superior on August 4th iin Marquette, Michigan

'We do photograph the Northern Lights here in Michigan and this is one of the best places below the 48th Parallel to do so,' Mrs Malone said.



'I have lived here for ten years and the lights are always wonderful and this was nice when it was here and it was pretty.

'It would come and go in waves around midnight and that was when I photographed the supercharged lights.

'But, I have to say that the spectacular event that we were led to believe by the media unfortunately didn't materialise for me at least.'



Armed with her Canon 5D Mark 2 camera, Shawn still feels lucky to live in such a spot where she can photograph the compressed and charged gases that cause the Aurora Borealis.

'There is so little light pollution over Lake Superior and the area surrounding Marquette, it makes for a wonder and clear setting,' said Mrs Malone.



Green rising: Moonrise taken from the shores of Lake Superior on August 3rd

Scientists were excited last week by two minor solar storms on The Sun that erupted on Sunday and which shots superheated plasma in the direction of The Earth.

The plasma, which is ionised atoms, can cause electrical systems and orbiting satellites to fail on Earth.

Scientists are braced for increased solar activity over the coming five years as The Sun 'wakes up' from an estimated decade long slumber.